Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud Party has pulled ahead of Minister-without-Portfolio Benny Gantz’s National Unity Party for the first time since the outbreak of the war on Oct. 7, according to a survey published on Jan. 25 by Channel 14 and Direct Polls.

If an election were held now, Likud would win 27 seats vs. 26 seats for National Unity, according to the survey. It marks a three-seat drop for the latter party.

Right-wing bloc:

Likud – 27
Shas – 10
Otzma Yehudit – 9
United Torah Judaism – 7
Religious Zionism – 4

Total: 57 mandates

Left-wing bloc:

National Unity – 26
Yesh Atid – 12
Israel Beitenu – 11
Meretz – 4

Total: 53 mandates

The Arab parties would garner 10 seats.

Respondents chose Netanyahu over Gantz as better suited for the job of prime minister by 42% to 34%.

In a matchup with Yair Lapid of the Yesh Atid Party, Netanyahu was deemed more suitable by 44% to 28%. However, a Channel 12 poll published on Tuesday yielded a contradictory result, with Gantz becoming the next prime minister, leading a center-left coalition with 73 Knesset seats.

Right-wing bloc:

Likud – 18
Shas – 10
Otzma Yehudit – 8
United Torah Judaism – 7
Religious Zionism – 4

Total: 47 mandates

Left-wing bloc:

National Unity – 37
Yesh Atid – 14
Israel Beitenu – 8
Meretz – 4
*Ra’am – 5
*Hadash-Ta’al – 5 

Total: 73 mandates

*Unlike the Channel 14 poll, the Channel 12 poll counted the two Arab parties as part of the left-wing coalition.

In terms of who would best serve as prime minister, Gantz led Netanyahu, 41% vs. 23%, with 29% saying neither one was suitable.

In a battle between Netanyahu and Lapid, Netanyahu came out ahead, 29% vs. 27%.

Gadi Eizenkot, a member of National Unity and a former IDF chief of staff, beat Netanyahu 36% vs. 21% in the Channel 12 poll.

Earlier this month, Lapid filed a no-confidence motion against the government over the passing of the 2024 state budget. It was the first no-confidence motion since the start of the current Hamas war.

Netanyahu has rejected calls by the opposition for him to resign and for elections to be held. The next national vote is scheduled to be held no laterthan Oct. 27, 2026.

PHOTO: Israeli elections

CAP: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the Knesset in Jerusalem, Nov. 27, 2023. Photo by Chaim Goldberg/Flash90.