Likud strengthened by two seats, bringing the governing coalition to 50, following the Hadash and three Arab parties’ leader’s announcement of a joint run in the next elections and the return of the remains of the Gaza hostage, according to a Maariv poll published Friday, January 30. The survey indicated that the Zionist opposition would hold 57 seats, while the reconstituted Arab Joint List would reach 13, up from the 10 currently projected for Hadash–Ta’al and Ra’am when running separately.
If elections were held today, respondents said they would vote as follows: Likud 27, up from 25; Bennett 22, down from 23; Joint List 13; “Yashar!” with Eisenkot 10, down from 11; The Democrats and Yisrael Beytenu unchanged at 9; Otzma Yehudit and Shas unchanged at 8; Yesh Atid 7, down from 9; United Torah Judaism unchanged at 7. Blue and White (2.7%), the Reservists (1.8%), and racist Religious Zionism (1.8%) do not pass the threshold. Half of Israelis (49%) want elections held on schedule later this year, while another 39% prefer the earliest possible date, and 12% are undecided.
MK Ayman Odeh with parents of violence victims during a demonstration held in Tamra, January 29, 2025 (Photo: Al-Ittihad)
According to another poll conducted by the “Mida” Institute for Channel 12 News, the unification of Hadash and the Arab parties negatively impact Netanyahu’s opponents, who are unable to form a coalition without relying on the votes of the Joint List. The poll shows that if elections were held today, the Likud party would win 27 seats, and Naftali Bennett’s party would win 21.
The Joint List would achieve 12 seats, the Democrats 11, Shas 9, Yesh Atid 8, Yisrael Beytenu 8, Otzma Yehudit 8, and United Torah Judaism 7. The Religious Zionist Party, the Blue and White Party and the Reservists’ Party do not pass the electoral threshold.
The Zionist opposition bloc achieves 57 seats, while the coalition bloc has 51, with the Joint List in the middle and the poll indicates that the opposition will not be able to form a government without the support of the Joint List. 48% of opposition voters support a government that would be externally supported by the Joint List. 37% oppose the move, and 15% answered that they do not know.
Hadash MK Ayman Odeh, said Friday during a meeting that “Hadash and Arab parties are moving to form a unified joint list to confront the fascist government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the upcoming elections.” “These elections are not just about arithmetic. They are a political and ethical battle to prevent the continuation of Netanyahu’s policies and those of his far-right extremist ministers,” added.
Odeh also addressed repeated attacks by racist National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who has described Hadash and Arab lawmakers as a “coalition of terrorism representatives.” He said such rhetoric reflects the government’s unease over the potential strength of a Joint List, warning that Israeli authorities may attempt to raise the electoral threshold or activate legal measures aimed at preventing the joint list from entering the Knesset.
“These attacks are not media stunts,” Odeh said. “They are part of a broader political effort to control the system and prevent from achieving the largest possible representation.” He noted that according to polls, the Joint List demonstrated its electoral potential, securing between 13 and 15 seats, a result that continues to alarm the current government.
Related: https://maki.org.il/en/?p=33205
