Channel 12 poll: Camps split 60-60 if Yamina backs Netanyahu

A new poll released by Channel 12 news shows the political system projected to remain gridlocked following the election, with no party having a clear path to forming a government.

The poll has Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party winning 28 seats; Yair Lapid’s Yesh Atid 19; Naftali Bennett’s Yamina 13; Gideon Sa’ar’s New Hope 11; the Joint List 9; Shas 8; Yisrael Beytenu 7; United Torah Judaism 7; and Labor 6.

Blue and White, Meretz and Religious Zionism all hover just above the electoral threshold with 4 seats each.

Meanwhile, the breakaway Arab Ra’am party is just below the 3.25% threshold with 3.1%.

The anti-Netanyahu bloc has 60 seats, according to the survey. Netanyahu’s religious bloc has 47 with Yamina potentially bringing him to 60.

Asked who they preferred as prime minister, 35% said Netanyahu, 20% said Lapid, 12% said Sa’ar and 10% said Bennett.

Ra’am has indicated it may back a Netanyahu-led coalition if it enters the Knesset. But asked for their opinion on the matter, right-wing voters opposed a Ra’am-backed government 55% to 28%.

In the center-left, 49% backed a coalition that includes the Joint List, while 43% opposed.

Also asked if they agree with the prime minister’s assessment earlier this week that the COVID-19 pandemic is behind Israel, 71% said no while 24% said yes.

The poll was carried out by the Midgam Institute.