4th Election in 2 Years Looming but Israel’s Political Landscape Markedly Changed Uri Cohen 12/20/2020
The shifting sands of Israel’s parliament mean the coming election cycle may offer a different result
Less than 72 hours before the Knesset, or parliament, is automatically dissolved, Israel’s political scene on Sunday was all aflutter, with last-ditch negotiations and desperate proposals lobbed by both parties heading the fractured government, leading some lawmakers to predict elections might be avoided after all.
Yet odds remain high that Israeli citizens will head to the polls in three months, for the fourth time in two years. In all likelihood, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz, though both facing an uphill battle at the polls, will not reach a last-minute understanding and will fail to sign an agreement extending the current parliament’s life span.
Sa ar off to a flying start in opinion polls
Three polls published last night by Israel s three TV news channels give Gideon Sa ar at least 15 seats.
Former Likud MK Gideon Sa ar s new party New Hope got off to a flying start in the three polls published last night by Israel s three main news channels, with at least 15 seats and a dramatic influence on the potential election outcome, and surprisingly reducing the number of seats that the left of center bloc would win.
According to Channel 11 KAN s poll, if the elections were held now Benjamin Netanyahu s Likud would win 25 seats, Gideon Sa ar s New Hope would win 18 seats, Naftali Bennett s Yamina 17 seats, Shas 8 seats, and United Torah Judaism 7 seats. Yair Lapid s Yessh Atid would win 15 seats, while Benny Gantz s Blue & White plunged to just seven seats. The United Arab List would win 11 seats, Avigdor Liberman s Yisrael Beitenu six seats, and Meretz six seats. When asked who would make a better Prime Minister 40% chose Netany