Gadi Eisenkot Leads Benjamin Netanyahu in Prime Minister Poll

A Channel 13 opinion poll conducted on September 16 shows opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot is more favored to serve as prime minister than Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Eisenkot leads by 9 percentage points, with 45% support compared to 36% for Netanyahu.

Despite the preference for Eisenkot as leader, Netanyahu's governing bloc maintains a narrow lead in projected Knesset seats. The governing bloc is projected to hold 54 seats, while Jewish opposition parties hold 52 and Arab parties hold 14. Neither major bloc currently reaches the 61-seat threshold necessary to form a government.

These findings come as Israel prepares for general elections on October 27. Netanyahu is seeking to form a new government while simultaneously facing domestic corruption charges and an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.