Israeli Election Polls Point to Deadlock as Netanyahu's Bloc Trails
With Israel's election six days away, final surveys indicate neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's camp nor the opposition can secure a 61-seat Knesset majority. A Channel 13 poll gave the opposition 54 seats, pro-Netanyahu parties 50, and Arab factions 16, while other surveys showed similar results. Palestinian citizens were reported to be turning out in high numbers, motivated by concerns about the far right.
With six days until voting, Israel’s 120-seat Knesset requires 61 seats for a majority. Final surveys before the blackout put the anti-Netanyahu bloc at 54 in Channel 13 and 56 in Channel 12, while pro-Netanyahu parties held 50 in both; Arab factions received 16 and 14 respectively. Kan’s poll was broadly similar, with Hendel’s faction near the threshold at four seats.
Palestinian citizens, about one-fifth of the population, were reported to be voting in large numbers. Ta’al leader Ahmad Tibi linked this to fears of another far-right government and to conflict and discrimination. Netanyahu told Radio North he worried about winning and would not retire if he could not form a government.
The deadlock could leave coalition talks protracted, making policy direction uncertain for Israelis, Palestinian citizens, investors, and diaspora communities. High Arab turnout may increase pressure to address discrimination and conflict-related concerns, while a government dependent on narrow or cross-bloc support may struggle to deliver stable decisions. Because no bloc appears close to 61 seats, smaller factions could gain leverage, shaping rights, security, and economic priorities in ways that may heighten both expectations and frustration.