Netanyahu Support Drops Ahead of October 27 Israeli Election
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces declining support in northern strongholds and trailing poll numbers as Israel prepares for legislative elections on October 27.
Support for Benjamin Netanyahu and his Likud party is declining in traditional right-wing strongholds like Kiryat Shmona ahead of the October 27 legislative elections. Residents in northern Israel express frustration over the Prime Minister's handling of a three-year conflict with Hezbollah, citing broken security promises and a perceived abandonment of the region. An Agam Labs poll shows Netanyahu's support in northern Israel fell from 29% in 2022 to 17% this month.
Broader national polling from the Lazar Research Institute indicates Netanyahu's coalition bloc has fallen to 48 seats, while the opposition change bloc has risen to 54. Neither group is projected to reach the 61-seat majority required to form a government, partly due to the failure of Ofer Winter's People of Israel party to cross the electoral threshold. Arab parties are projected to secure 14 seats, though most Jewish opposition leaders have ruled out cooperation with them.
In head-to-head matchups for prime minister, Gadi Eisenkot leads Netanyahu with 49% support compared to 41%, while Naftali Bennett leads with 45% to 43%. Amidst the deadlock, 60% of Israelis express a preference for a unity government over holding another election.
