{
  "id": 2309549,
  "title": "Eisenkot leaps ahead as Likud support falters, projected to win 26 Knesset seats - poll",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/21/eisenkot-leaps-ahead-as-likud-support-falters-projected-to-win-26",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-21T05:34:48.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Jerusalem Post",
    "slug": "jerusalem-post",
    "url": "https://www.jpost.com/israel-election-2026/article-906183"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar party is expected to secure 26 Knesset seats, marking a three-seat increase from a previous poll conducted last week. This projection comes despite Likud party gaining attention from recent primaries. Conducted by Lazar Research, the findings were shared with Maariv and Panel4All respondents panel. The Likud has dropped to 20 seats, while the opposition bloc has risen to 60 seats, just one short of the required 61-seat majority coalition. The Reservists Party received a minimal 2.9% support and did not cross the electoral threshold. Other parties like Unity, Economic Party, and Blue and White also failed to cross the threshold, collectively wasting 8.3% of all voters' votes, equivalent to 10 Knesset seats. Arab parties now hold 11 seats after the Hadash-Ta al-Balad merger, with Hadash-Ta al gaining one seat this week. The poll results indicate Eisenkot is leading over Benjamin Netanyahu by a record 14-point gap, with 52% support for Eisenkot versus 38% for Netanyahu. This lead is similar to the previous poll, with Bennett's support also similar. The poll found that 40% of coalition voters oppose Netanyahu reserving a spot for his son Yair in the Knesset list, while 26% have no opinion.",
  "summary": "The findings come from a poll conducted for Maariv by Lazar Research, headed by Dr. Menachem Lazar, in cooperation with the Panel4All online respondents panel.",
  "key_points": [
    "Yashar party projected to secure 26 Knesset seats, up from 23",
    "Likud support drops to 20 seats, opposition bloc at 60",
    "Eisenkot leads Netanyahu by 14 points, 52% to 38%"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Gadi Eisenkot's surge in support, now leading Benjamin Netanyahu by a record 14 points, signals a potential shift in voter preference away from the current prime minister and Likud party.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Arutz Sheva - Israel National News",
        "title": "New poll: Eisenkot opens six-seat lead over Likud",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/21/new-poll-eisenkot-opens-six-seat-lead-over-likud",
        "published": "2026-08-21T05:19:06.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}