Israeli poll shows Gantz's National Unity party continues to lead over Netanyahu's Likud

By Abdelraouf Aranout

JERUSALEM (AA) - An opinion poll in Israel has shown that the National Unity party, led by Benny Gantz, would lead over the Likud party, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, if elections were held today.

According to the survey published by the Israeli daily Maariv on Friday, the National Unity party would secure 29 out of the 120 Knesset seats.

This represents a slight decline for the party, which had received more than 30 seats in polls conducted in recent weeks.

However, the Likud party would secure 20 seats, while the Yesh Atid party, led by opposition leader Yair Lapid, would secure 14 seats.

“Against the backdrop of the dramatic events this week, including Gantz's ultimatum to leave the government and the request to issue arrest warrants by the International Criminal Court against Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, the coalition (the current government parties) continues to lose popularity and stands at just 46 seats,” the daily said.

The survey results indicate that the parties supporting Netanyahu's leadership would secure 46 seats if elections were held today, while the parties opposing his leadership would secure 68 seats.

The Democratic Front and the Arab List for Change alliance would secure six seats.

To form a government in Israel, at least 61 votes are required in the Knesset.​​​​​​​

Given Netanyahu's reluctance to hold elections amid the continuing Gaza war, there is no imminent prospect of elections in Israel.

The daily mentioned that its poll included a random sample of 500 Israelis and had a 4.4% margin of error.

Israel has continued its brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7, 2023, despite a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire in the enclave.

At least 35,800 Palestinians have been killed, mostly women and children, and over 80,200 others injured since last October following an attack by the Palestinian group Hamas.

More than seven months into the Israeli war, vast swathes of Gaza lay in ruins amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water, and medicine.

Israel is accused of genocide at the ICJ, which has ordered it to ensure that its forces do not commit acts of genocide and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.

* Writing by Rania Abu Shamala.