Netanyahu trails Eisenkot in new poll as Israel's right-wing bloc weakens

Israelis prefer former defense minister over the current prime minister to lead country, while the religious-nationalist People of Israel party is projected to win six Knesset seats.

Rina Bassist

Aug 27, 2026

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The newly established religious-nationalist People of Israel party, led by Ofer Winter, is projected to win six Knesset seats in October elections, according to a Channel 12 poll published Wednesday, pushing its political rival, Religious Zionism, below the four-seat electoral threshold. The poll also projected Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar! party winning 25 seats, widening its lead over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud, with just 21 seats.

The survey highlights the depth of the crisis Netanyahu’s camp currently faces: The right-wing bloc — Jewish Power,  the Likud, People of Israel and the ultra-Orthodox parties — would hold 49 seats, while the Zionist opposition — Together, Yisrael Beitenu and the Democrats — would win 59. The non-Zionist, Arab parties, which could support an opposition government from outside the coalition, would take 12 seats.

המוקד: סקר וואלה: וינטר עם 6 מנדטים סמוטריץ׳, ארדן טרופר והנדל - בחוץ. קואליציית נתניהו עם וינטר על 49 pic.twitter.com/hQGsGb4lpB

A strong newcomer

Only launched on Tuesday, People of Israel is the latest in a long list of new parties established ahead of the Oct. 27 elections. Among the others are Zionist Home, founded by former ministers Hili Tropper (previously Blue and White) and Yoaz Hendel (previously New Hope); Identity, led by former Knesset member Moshe Feiglin (previously Likud); and Unity, founded by former minister Gilad Erdan (previously Likud). Experts who spoke with Al-Monitor said that amid all the new contenders, Winter differs from the others because of his clear affiliation with the religious-nationalist right and People of Israel being his first foray into politics.

Winter, 55, a retired brigadier general, served in the Israeli military for 34 years. Among other........

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