Gadi Eisenkot

Additionally, Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition dropped by four seats to just 47.

Eisenkot’s Yashar party has recently led most polls and is part of the opposition bloc seeking to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the upcoming elections.

Hendel and Zelekha’s projected Knesset entry would leave both Netanyahu’s and Eisenkot’s blocs short of the 61 seats needed to form a government, forcing them to seek additional coalition partners.

What changed on Sept. 1 was that Netanyahu, after a refusal from Ben-Gvir, managed to get Smotrich to run in a single list with Moshe Feiglin’s Zehut party. 

Some within the party are pressing for staying the course, arguing against rushing to withdraw from the race or join an existing party.

16% of those polled unsure if there was a 'betrayal,' 40% believe there was not • Smotrich-Feiglin merger, launch of Winter's People of Israel boosted coalition to 51 seats, its strongest since May.

Officials from several Arab states are seeking to better understand Eisenkot’s political strategy and positions, particularly on issues related to Israel’s ties with the Arab world.

The Post has learned Eisenkot's unique solutions for dealing with the Lebanese and Gazan arenas, as well as how he would crack down on extremist violence in the West Bank.

Likud is sliding, Eisenkot is surging, and the right is splintering. The Deep Dive maps the frantic scramble before Israel's parties lock in their final Knesset lists next week.

“We will not join a government that does not pass, before it is formed, a law that puts an end to draft evasion and requires everyone to report for service and contribute,” Winter said.