Polls predict Sa’ar’s party would be second largest, after Likud

Television polls predict a good showing for Gideon Sa’ar’s new party, chipping away at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s support.

Surveys by Channel 12 and Kan signal that centrist and right-wing parties could form a coalition without Netanyahu.

A poll conducted by the Kan public broadcaster gives Sa’ar’s newly formed New Hope 18 seats, making it the second-largest party in the Knesset after Likud, which wins 25. Yamina is projected to receive 17 seats; Yesh Atid 15; Joint List 11; Shas 8; Blue and White 7; United Torah Judaism 7; Yisrael Beytenu 6; and Meretz 6.

According to Channel 12, Likud would win 26 seats, followed by Yamina with 18. Sa’ar follows with 16. Yesh Atid would win 15; Joint List 11; Shas 8; United Torah Judaism 8; Blue and White 6; Yisrael Beytenu 6; and Meretz 6.

Sa’ar’s support is seen as taking four seats from Likud, four from Blue and White, three from Yamina and two from Yesh Atid.

With the inclusion of former IDF chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot and Likud MK Yifat Shasha-Biton in the party, Sa’ar’s party would win 22 seats, compared to 26 for Likud, according to Channel 12. Should Sa’ar and Yamina join forces, they could beat Likud, with 32 seats compared to 26.

Some 29% of Channel 12 respondents say Netanyahu is best suited to be prime minister, while 16% say Sa’ar is and 13% say Bennett. In the Kan poll, by contrast, 40% say Netanyahu and 32% say Sa’ar.