{
  "id": 16180202,
  "title": "Netanyahu bloc falls to 48 seats as opposition reaches 54, days before election - poll",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/23/netanyahu-bloc-falls-to-48-seats-as-opposition-reaches-54-days-before",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-23T11:50:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Jerusalem Post",
    "slug": "jerusalem-post",
    "url": "https://www.jpost.com/israel-election-2026/article-912649"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A new poll reveals a widening gap between Israel's coalition and opposition blocs ahead of the Knesset election. The coalition now holds 48 seats, following the failure of Ofer Winter's People of Israel party to meet the electoral threshold. Meanwhile, the opposition bloc has strengthened to 54 seats. The poll indicates that United Torah Judaism and Otzma Yehudit each lost a seat, while Likud, Shas, and the Religious Zionist Party each gained a seat. Notably, Naftali Bennett's B Yachad party and the Democrats both gained one seat. The Reservists or New Economic Party narrowly crossed the electoral threshold, winning four seats. Voter turnout intentions are also rising, with 81% of Israelis certain they will vote, a significant increase from the previous poll's 71%. A majority of Israelis (60%) still prefer a unity government over a new election, with 33% favoring a leader from the opposition bloc and 19% preferring Netanyahu.",
  "summary": "A final Maariv poll shows the opposition widening its lead, with Eisenkot ahead of Netanyahu and 60% of Israelis favoring a unity government.",
  "key_points": [
    "Netanyahu bloc reduced to 48 seats after People of Israel party fails to meet threshold",
    "Opposition bloc strengthened to 54 seats with gains for Likud, Shas, Religious Zionist Party",
    "Voter turnout intentions rise to 81%, majority prefer unity government over new election"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The shift in seat distribution signals a weakening grip for the current coalition as the opposition gains momentum alongside a surge in voter turnout ahead of the upcoming election.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}