Netanyahu bloc falls to 48 seats as opposition reaches 54, days before election – poll

The gap between Israel’s coalition and opposition blocs has widened to six seats ahead of Tuesday’s Knesset election, despite the two largest parties being separated by just two seats, according to a Maariv poll by Lazar Research published Friday.

The coalition bloc receives just 48 seats this week, following the failure of Ofer Winter’s People of Israel party to cross the electoral threshold. The party receives 3% of the vote, below the required 3.25%. Meanwhile, the opposition’s change bloc has strengthened to 54 seats. Recent polling averages have shown the two political blocs nearly tied, highlighting the fluctuations in the election race.