A new poll by Ma’agar Mochot shows a different picture than the Knesset channel’s poll, and gives the right the edge (barely) – almost solely based on Eli Yishai’s party passing the minimum electoral threshold.
Labor-Zionist Camp (Herzog / Livni): 24
Likud (Netanyahu): 22
Bayit Yehudi (Bennett): 16
Arab List: 12
Yesh Atid (Lapid): 11
Kulanu (Kachlon): 9
Shas (Yishai): 6
UTJ (Gafni / Litzman): 6
Yisrael Beytenu (Liberman): 4
Meretz (Gal-On): 6
Yachad (Yishai): 4
LEFT: Labor (24) + Arab List (12) + Yesh Atid (11) + Shas (6) + Meretz (6) = 59
RIGHT: Likud (22) + Bayit Yehudi (16) + Kulanu (9) + UTJ (6) + Yisrael Beytenu (4) + Yachad (4) = 61
Limiting the Left to their natural partners, and introducing Yachad into the match is enough to turn the tables and bring about the possibility of a rightwing coalition, by reducing Shas.
But even according to this poll it’s not a done deal. Kulanu could still go with the left, unlike Liberman who has made it clear he won’t sit with Meretz.
In short, according to today’s polls, this race is close, and even after its over, the horsetrading each side is going to commit, to win over a couple of small parties is going to be significant.
