Eisenkot leaps ahead as Likud support falters, projected to win 26 Knesset seats – poll

A recent poll conducted for Maariv by Lazar Research projects Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar party to win 26 Knesset seats, a three-seat increase from the previous week. This places Yashar ahead of the Likud party, which is projected to secure 20 seats. The poll, conducted on August 19-20, 2026, indicates that the opposition bloc now holds 60 seats, just one short of a majority. Eisenkot also leads Benjamin Netanyahu by 14 percentage points (52% to 38%) in suitability for prime minister. The Reservists Party (Zionist Home) did not cross the electoral threshold, receiving only 2.9% support. The poll also found that half of Israelis (50%) fear a situation where the losing side in the Knesset elections refuses to accept the results.