Israel elections: Eisenkot leads Netanyahu in polls amid political stalemate

Israeli elections Knesset Benjamin Netanyahu Gadi Eisenkot political polling

As Israel approaches parliamentary elections on October 27, recent polling indicates a political stalemate. According to a Kan poll, Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar party, leads Benjamin Netanyahu in prime ministerial preference with 43% to 38%. However, neither the pro-Netanyahu bloc nor the opposition appears positioned to secure a parliamentary majority of the 120 Knesset seats.

Netanyahu's Likud party is projected to win 20 seats, while his coalition is estimated to hold 53 seats, eight short of the 61 required to form a government. Eisenkot's Yashar party is projected to win 22 seats, with the opposition bloc totaling 50 seats. Approximately 30% of voters remain undecided, and 21% are considering not voting.

Political tensions have escalated following controversial remarks by former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. Bennett initially suggested Netanyahu could serve as a minister in a future government if specific policy demands—including a state commission of inquiry and universal military conscription—were met. He quickly retracted the statement, clarifying that he would not serve in any government that includes Netanyahu, citing the Prime Minister's responsibility for the October 7 attacks. Other opposition leaders, including Avigdor Liberman and Yair Golan, have also issued firm refusals to participate in any coalition with Netanyahu.

Entities

Benjamin Netanyahu · Gadi Eisenkot · Knesset · Likud · Naftali Bennett · Yashar

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 3 SOURCES] Neither Netanyahu's bloc nor the Jewish opposition holds enough seats to form a government independently. www.sardegnagol.eu · paltimeps.ps · www.rd.nl
[● 2 SOURCES] Reports suggest UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed warned Netanyahu of a major Hamas operation ten days before the October 7 attacks. www.veridica.ro · www.dailybusiness.ro
[○ 1 SOURCE] Gadi Eisenkot lost three family members during the war in Gaza. www.cnnbrasil.com.br
[● 2 SOURCES] Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered a criminal investigation into the participants of the documentary 'NAZA' for alleged crimes against state security. www.news20.ro · hotnews.ro
[○ 1 SOURCE] Two-thirds of respondents in a Hebrew University of Jerusalem poll oppose the return of Benjamin Netanyahu as prime minister. www.rd.nl
[● 4 SOURCES] Netanyahu's Likud party is projected to win 20 seats in the Knesset. www.sardegnagol.eu · paltimeps.ps · www.aksam.com.tr · www.karar.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Eisenkot's Yashar party is projected to win 22 seats in the Knesset. www.sardegnagol.eu · paltimeps.ps · www.karar.com
[● 4 SOURCES] Gadi Eisenkot leads Benjamin Netanyahu in a poll regarding who is most suitable to lead the government. www.sardegnagol.eu · paltimeps.ps · www.aksam.com.tr · www.karar.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Gadi Eisenkot rejected the possibility of Netanyahu serving in a future government, citing responsibility for the October 7 attacks. www.europesays.com · vinnews.com · matzav.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Naftali Bennett suggested Benjamin Netanyahu could serve as a minister if he accepts specific policy demands. www.europesays.com · vinnews.com · matzav.com
[● 5 SOURCES] Approximately 30% of voters remain undecided ahead of the October 27 parliamentary elections. www.yenisafak.com · www.sardegnagol.eu · paltimeps.ps · www.karar.com · www.aksam.com.tr
[● 2 SOURCES] Avigdor Liberman stated that his party will not participate in any government that includes Netanyahu. www.europesays.com · vinnews.com