Poll shows Eisenkot, Netanyahu neck-and-neck as public’s preferred option for PM

A recent Channel 12 poll indicates a tie between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and challenger Gadi Eisenkot, with both preferred by 38% of Israelis for prime minister. This marks a shift from an earlier poll where Eisenkot led Netanyahu 43% to 34%. Despite the direct preference, Israel does not hold direct prime ministerial elections. The survey, conducted by Manu Geva's Midgam firm with 509 participants and a 4.4% margin of error, also showed the anti-Netanyahu bloc with 60 Knesset seats and the pro-Netanyahu bloc with 50, falling short of a majority. Eisenkot's Yashar party would lead with 23 seats, followed by Netanyahu's Likud with 22. Key factors influencing voters included war management (32%), cost of living (25%), and societal divisions (15%).