Three polls, different results: Likud and Eisenkot battle for first place
Israel heads toward a crucial parliamentary election with differing polls showing a tight race for first place between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party and Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar party. Recent polling averages display a near-perfect tie between the Zionist opposition and Netanyahu's bloc. Surveys present varied seat projections following Gantz stepping out of the race, while analysts predict potential far-right gains and debate whether the hard-right turn in Israeli politics is permanent under the shadow of ongoing conflict.
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- ✓ The polling average put the Zionist opposition at 51.25 seats, compared with 51 for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc.
What changed
Multiple new surveys published ahead of the vote show shifting margins between Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud and Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar party.
Live updates
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Israel Election Polls Show Tight Race Between Likud and Eisenkot
Israel heads toward a crucial parliamentary election with differing polls showing a tight race for first place between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party and Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar party. Recent polling averages display a near-perfect tie between the Zionist opposition and Netanyahu's bloc. Surveys present varied seat projections following Gantz stepping out of the race, while analysts predict potential far-right gains and debate whether the hard-right turn in Israeli politics is permanent under the shadow of ongoing conflict.
Why it matters
The upcoming election on October 27, 2026, could significantly reshape Israel's domestic and foreign policy directions. Neither Netanyahu's allies nor the opposition currently holds a clear path to a governing majority, leaving the final outcome dependent on shifting voter dynamics and turnout rates among various demographics.
What is confirmed
- The polling average put the Zionist opposition at 51.25 seats, compared with 51 for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc.
Still unconfirmed
- Eisenkot's Yashar widened its lead over Netanyahu's Likud to four seats, while Bennett's B'Yachad also gained ground in a Walla election poll.
What to watch next
- Final voter turnout rates among Arab Israelis on election day.
- Official certified election results from the October 27 vote.
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (13)
- www.yahoo.com — Yahoo
- Yahoo — In shadow of war, Israelis to decide if hard-right turn is permanent
- Israel National News — Three polls, different results: Likud and Eisenkot battle for first place
- Reuters — Arab voter turnout could make or break Netanyahu in Israeli election
- The Guardian — ‘There’s a lot of racism, a lot of hatred’: Far right gains predicted as Israel heads to the polls
- Bloomberg.com — Even If Israelis Spurn Netanyahu, His Agenda Will Live On
- www.jpost.com — Israel Election 2026: Gadi Eisenkot leading Benjamin ...
- www.jpost.com — Israel election 2026: Gadi Eisenkot, Naftali Bennett gain as ...
- www.nytimes.com — Latest Polls
- www.cfr.org — Israel’s Election: Who’s Who and What’s at Stake?
- www.israelnationalnews.com — Three polls, different results: Likud and Eisenkot battle for ...
- article.wn.com — Three polls, different results: Likud and Eisenkot battle for ...
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