Full Breakdown
Yashar Party Surges Ahead in 2026 Israeli Election Race
9/8/2026, 8:14:53 PM
Core Event: Recent Polls Put Yashar in First Place
A Midgam poll released on September 8, 2026 projects former army chief Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar party at 25 seats, ahead of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud, which the same poll estimates at 21 seats. An earlier Lazar Research poll gave Yashar 25 seats and Likud 20 seats. Both surveys show the opposition bloc holding a majority of the 120-seat Knesset, while Netanyahu’s coalition falls short of the 61 seats needed to form a government.
Background & Context: Fragmented Right-Wing and Netanyahu’s Unification Drive
Netanyahu has urged Israel’s right-wing parties to merge before the September 7, 2026 deadline for submitting electoral lists, warning that “when we unite, we win. When we splinter, we lose.” A partial merger of the Religious Zionist Party with Zehut occurred on September 1, 2026, but the People of Israel party, led by Ofer Winter, rejected any alliance and will run independently. The right-wing remains split among Religious Zionist, Jewish Power, Zehut, and Winter’s new party, each hovering near the 3.25 % electoral threshold.
Key Figures & Groups
- Gadi Eisenkot – former chief of staff, leader of Yashar.
- Benjamin Netanyahu – incumbent prime minister, leader of Likud.
- Ofer Winter – chairman of the People of Israel party.
- Bezalel Smotrich – finance minister, head of the Religious Zionist Party.
- Moshe Feiglin – leader of Zehut.
- Itamar Ben-Gvir – leader of Jewish Power.
Data & Statistics
- Seat projections: Yashar 25, Likud 20-21, Together (Naftali Bennett) 13, Democrats 11, Yisrael Beiteinu 8, United Torah Judaism 8, Shas 7, Religious Zionist + Zehut 6, People of Israel 4, Joint List 7, United Arab List 4.
- Electoral threshold: 3.25 % of the vote (four seats).
- Undecided voters: 10.4 % in the Lazar Research poll.
Official Statements & Responses
Netanyahu argues that a divided bloc risks “wasting” votes and jeopardizing a right-wing government. Eisenkot denounced Netanyahu’s reserved slots on the Likud list as a “distribution of spoils” that rewards loyalty over public service. Winter framed his independent run as a response to demand for “new people” not tied to the October 7, 2023 security failure, and pledged to push for haredi enlistment in the IDF without political compromise. The Religious Zionist Party called Winter’s solo bid an “irresponsible gamble” and said it would reassess its slate.
Criticism & Opposition
Eisenkot’s criticism highlights intra-bloc tension, arguing that reserving spots for “mouthpieces” undermines integrity and deepens societal rifts, shifting politics from service to devotion to a single leader.
Verbatim Quotes
- “When we unite, we win. When we splinter, we lose,” — Benjamin Netanyahu
- “The currency that matters is not public service, integrity or Israel’s security, but the degree of devotion and willingness to deepen the rift in Israeli society and strengthen the leader at any cost,” — Gadi Eisenkot
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The two polls differ on Likud’s projected seat count—20 seats versus 21 seats—while both agree on Yashar’s 25 seats. No source provides definitive data on how post-deadline coalition negotiations might alter these projections.
What’s Next
All parties must file their final candidate lists by the September 7, 2026 deadline. The general election is scheduled for October 27, when the Knesset composition will be decided and coalition talks will commence.
