Netanyahu’s Likud slips behind Rival party as Israeli election race tightens

According to Reuters, the survey projects Yashar to win 24 seats in the Knesset, while Likud is expected to secure 23. The poll comes just over two months

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party has suffered a setback in the latest opinion poll, falling one seat behind Yashar, the political party led by former army chief Gadi Eisenkot, as the country heads toward parliamentary elections.

According to Reuters, the survey projects Yashar to win 24 seats in the Knesset, while Likud is expected to secure 23. The poll comes just over two months before Israel’s parliamentary elections scheduled for October 27.

The latest figures come as Likud begins selecting its candidates for the upcoming election. The growing influence of right-wing hardliners in the party’s internal selection process could create additional challenges for Netanyahu as he seeks another term in office.

Likud’s support has declined substantially since the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Analysts say the party could lose close to one-third of its current parliamentary representation if the trend continues.

Reuters reported that Likud has around 140,000 members, and the selection of more hardline and populist candidates could make the party’s electoral battle more difficult. A significant portion of Likud’s traditional support base is believed to favour a more moderate political direction.

Netanyahu’s governing coalition currently relies on ultra-religious and nationalist parties, including the ultra-nationalist Jewish Power party led by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and the Religious Zionist Party headed by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

Both parties have backed proposals involving the removal of Palestinians from Gaza and the resettlement of Israelis in the territory, positions that have drawn widespread international criticism.

With the influence of hardline figures growing within Likud, Netanyahu is reportedly seeking to secure the nomination of more moderate candidates in an effort to maintain a political balance and strengthen the party’s chances in the upcoming election.