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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gives a statement to the media in the Knesset in Jerusalem, on November 2, 2020. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
A new television poll over the weekend suggested Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party is regaining support ahead of the March 23 national election, but the premier remained without a clear path to forming a new government.
Meanwhile, excitement around Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Hauldai’s The Israelis party appeared to be fading since the launch of the center-left platform last month.
Likud would pick up 31 seats if voting was held today, down from its current tally of 36 but up by several seats over previous polls, according to the Channel 13 news survey aired Friday.
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Yamina leader Naftali Bennett at a protest against the state s intention to close the Hilla Project, outside the Knesset in Jerusalem on August 12, 2020. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
Yamina leader Naftali Bennett said Monday that he aims to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and that he will not support legislative efforts to help the premier avoid his corruption charges.
Bennett speaking to Channel 13 just hours before the Knesset narrowly rejected a bill that would have deferred a Tuesday midnight deadline for passing the 2020 state budget, setting Israel on an almost certain course to its fourth general election in two years pushed his own claim to head the next government.
Gideon Sa ar visits Hadassah Hospital Ein Kerem in Jerusalem on December 16, 2020. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
A television poll aired Sunday pointed to growing support for former Likud lawmaker Gideon Sa’ar’s new party, eating into the electoral strength of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing bloc.
The Channel 13 news poll also had Defense Minister Benny Gantz’s Blue and White party sliding to just above the minimum threshold needed to enter the Knesset, as it holds last-ditch talks with Netanyahu’s Likud to avert early elections ahead of this week’s budget deadline.
With the addition of fellow Likud rebel MK Yiffat Shasha-Biton to its ranks, Sa’ar’s New Hope was forecast to pick up 19 seats, up from 17 in a survey aired by the network last week, which would make it the second largest faction after Likud, which the poll said would get 28 seats (down from the 36 it currently holds).
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