Political Shift: Bennett and Lapid’s New "Together" Party Surges in Latest Poll

The Israeli political landscape has undergone a significant transformation following the announcement of a joint electoral run by former Prime Ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid. A poll conducted by News 12 reveals that their new party, "Together," would secure 26 mandates if elections were held today, successfully overtaking Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud, which maintains 25 mandates. The survey highlights a growing sentiment within the electorate that the opposition bloc, excluding the Arab parties, is gaining strength, currently reaching 60 seats.

One of the most notable findings in the survey involves the potential integration of Gadi Eisenkot’s "Yasar" party. Should Eisenkot decide to join the "Together" ticket, the alliance could potentially reach 41 mandates, significantly altering the structure of the Knesset while leaving the core balance between the right and left wings largely stable. Conversely, the poll also evaluated the impact of a potential new party led by Gilad Erdan, Yuli Edelstein, and Moshe Kahlon, which could enter the Knesset with 5 seats. This specific scenario would be the only one that shifts the balance, weakening the opposition and strengthening the coalition.

Public perception remains deeply divided, with 41 percent of respondents favoring Netanyahu for Prime Minister compared to 37 percent for Bennett. However, the enthusiasm within the opposition bloc for a unified front is clear, with 65 percent of opposition voters supporting the merger. As IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir leads the military effort in the ongoing war, the political parties are bracing for the possibility of early elections, with candidates competing intensely for the support of undecided voters. The data indicates that the political arena is becoming increasingly volatile, with the outcome of potential future mergers likely to dictate the formation of the next government.