Story perspectives

Eisenkot-led Yesh Atid projected 22 seats, Netanyahu trails

By Drooid · Sep 25, 2026, 2:21 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Yashar party led by Gadi Eisenkot is projected at 22 seats, ahead of Likud’s 18.
The governing coalition bloc is projected at 51 seats, while the opposition bloc totals 52 seats.
Arab parties would win a combined 13 seats in the same poll.
48% of respondents preferred Eisenkot as prime minister, compared with 36% for Benjamin Netanyahu.
62% of Israelis said they were concerned about Israel’s low international standing.

History

Historical Context

On 17 May 1977 Israel held its ninth Knesset election, and Likud under Menachem Begin won a plurality, ending nearly 30 years of Labor dominance—a shift known as the Mahapakh. Voter turnout reached 79 percent, and the result forced new coalition formulas that balanced left- and right-wing blocs for almost two decades. Today, the emergence of Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar party challenges Likud, echoing that historic re-configuration.

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Story summary

Yashar party led by Gadi Eisenkot is projected at 22 seats, ahead of Likud’s 18.
The governing coalition bloc is projected at 51 seats, while the opposition bloc totals 52 seats.
Arab parties would win a combined 13 seats in the same poll.
48% of respondents preferred Eisenkot as prime minister, compared with 36% for Benjamin Netanyahu.
62% of Israelis said they were concerned about Israel’s low international standing.

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