Polls show Gantz closing gap on Netanyahu

Opinion polls show former Israeli armed forces chief Benny Gantz as the strongest challenger to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of Israel’s general election

Benjamin Netanyahu 
Currently in his fourth term as prime minister. Has vowed to build Likud-led right-wing coalition in parliament similar to one he now leads, despite facing possible indictment in three separate cases of corruption

Hadashot TV news poll* shows Likud party coming second to potential Gantz-headed alliance with centrist Yesh Atid party of former finance minister Yair Lapid

Benny Gantz: Head of Israel Resilience Party has presented himself as moderate alternative to Netanyahu, pledging to be tough on security while striving for peace


PROJECTED SEATS IN KNESSET

Current Likud-led coalition partners

Jewish Home: 4
Yisrael † Beytenu: 4
Likud 30
Shas: 5
United Torah Judaism: 7 
Kulanu: 5
New Right: 7 
Yesh Atid 11
Israel Resilience 21
Gesher: 4 
Labor: 6
Meretz: 4     
Ra’am-Ta’al: 6
Joint (Arab) List: 6

Majority: 61 
Total seats 120
 
*Survey of 505 respondents conducted January 30, 2019. Margin of error: ±4.4% †Party quit coalition in November 2018


Sources: Reuters, Times of Israel Pictures: AP, Getty Images © GRAPHIC NEWS