Poll: Center-left bloc could tie Netanyahu-led bloc at 46 seats

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(JTA) — Israel could see a left-wing coalition to match the right-wing bloc’s 46  projected seats, according to the last poll before Jan. 22 elections.

The poll, based on a survey of 1,000 adults, predicts 32 seats for the united Likud-Beiteinu ticket, 14 seats for Naftali Bennett’s Jewish Home party, and two seats for Otzma Le’Israel, an ultrarightist party.

This constellation could be matched by the left wing’s predicted 46 seats through a union of Labor’s predicted 17 seats,  Yair Lapid’s centrist Yesh Atid party’s 13, and 16 seats combined for Hatnua, Meretz and Kadima.

The left’s alliance is not assured, however, as Lapid has not ruled out joining a coalition led by Netanyahu, unlike Livni and Labor chairwoman Shelly Yachimovich.

Shas and Torah Judaism, both haredi Orthodox parties, garnered a total of 17 seats in the poll, which was published by Yediot Achronot on Jan. 18, the last day before elections in which media are permitted by law to publish polling results.

A total of 11 seats went to Israel’s two Arab parties, Balad and Ra’am Ta’al, and to the leftist Hadash party.

The poll had an error margin of 0.9 seats for a two-seat party and up to 3.2 seats in the case of Likud-Beiteinu.

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