Israeli opposition tops new poll as Netanyahu allies explore voting restrictions

Israeli opposition tops new poll as Netanyahu allies explore voting restrictions

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MEE staff
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Thu, 07/16/2026 - 11:31

PM's allies look to restrict flights into Israel potentially carrying anti-Netanyahu voters ahead of 27 October election

Gadi Eizenkot, former Israeli army chief of staff, at the launch of the Yashar party's election campaign in Hod Hasharon, central Israel, on 30 June 2026 (Jack Guez/AFP)

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A bloc of Israeli parties seeking to remove Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would secure the narrowest possible parliamentary majority in October’s election, a new poll has found.

The Channel 13 survey, broadcast on Wednesday, gave the opposition 61 of the Knesset’s 120 seats – the first major poll in more than a month to show the opposition capable of forming a government without relying on Palestinian-majority parties.

The election will take place on 27 October.

Former Israeli army chief Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar party was projected to win 21 seats, placing it just behind Netanyahu’s Likud on 22.

Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s Together alliance would follow with 15 seats, while Yair Golan’s Democrats were forecast to win 11 and Avigdor Lieberman’s Yisrael Beiteinu 10.

A new alliance led by Yoaz Hendel and Chili Tropper would take the remaining four seats needed to give the opposition its majority.

Netanyahu’s far-right and ultra-Orthodox coalition fell well short. United Torah Judaism was projected to receive eight seats, with Shas and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir’s Jewish Power forecast to win seven each. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s Religious Zionism party was forecast to win six.

Palestinian parties Hadash-Ta’al and Ra’am would win five and four seats respectively, on this polling. Balad and former Defense Minister Benny Gantz’s Blue and White failed to cross the electoral threshold.

Channel 13 did not disclose the poll’s sample size or margin of error.

Despite opposing Netanyahu, Eisenkot's previous comments suggest little change in policy with regards to Gaza.

In 2024, during the Gaza genocide, Eisenkot – then a member of Netanyahu’s war cabinet – discussed plans to withhold air from Palestinians while they were being starved by Israel. Netanyahu later implemented a plan that pushed Gaza's population into a famine.

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The new poll results emerged as Netanyahu’s allies explored measures that could restrict access to the ballot.

Haaretz reported that senior officials in Transportation Minister Miri Regev’s office discussed limiting incoming flights immediately before the election, including restricting charter services.

Officials believed tens of thousands of Israelis living abroad could return to vote against Netanyahu.

A Knesset committee also advanced a measure ending the provision of polling stations in retirement and assisted-living facilities.

The change could affect up to 37,000 people – roughly the number of votes needed for one Knesset seat – from an age group that largely opposes Netanyahu.

Successive polls indicate that his coalition could face defeat, although Israel’s fractured political system could still complicate efforts to remove him.

Inside Israel

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