Symbolic imageOpposition bloc widens lead in final poll before Israel's election
A Maariv poll puts Netanyahu's bloc at 48 seats and the opposition at 54 ahead of Tuesday's vote. Eisenkot's Yashar leads Likud by two seats.
The Maariv poll by Lazar Research, published on Friday, 23 October, gives Yashar 21 seats, Likud 19 and Naftali Bennett's B'Yachad 15. The coalition lost three seats in a week, and Ofer Winter's People of Israel party fell below the 3.25% threshold. The 54 seats for the opposition depend on the Reservists-Economic Party, which clears the threshold with four seats. If it fails, the poll expects 50 for the coalition, 56 for the Zionist opposition and 14 for the Arab parties. Eisenkot leads Netanyahu 49% to 41% as preferred prime minister, and 81% say they are certain to vote, against 71% turnout in 2022.
Rift on the right
Itamar Ben-Gvir told the Jerusalem Post that Netanyahu wants a unity government with Eisenkot, which he says would harm Israel. He demands a full right-wing government. El País reports that Eisenkot has ruled out a unity government.
Racism row
Channel 14 presenter Yinon Magal called Eisenkot a "monkey" on air, according to Tehran Times, citing Middle East Monitor. Eisenkot, of Moroccan descent, could become Israel's first Mizrahi prime minister.
Gantz leaves the race
Benny Gantz announced on Monday that he would not run, with Blue and White polling about 1%.
Other opinions
Tehran Times foregrounds the racism row against Mizrahi Jews, while El País frames Netanyahu as campaigning on another war with Iran and opposition to Arab parties.