Jerusalem voters split on Netanyahu ahead of Tuesday's vote

Jerusalem residents face a sharp choice on Tuesday, with local voters divided on whether to keep Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in power. The 26th Knesset election will determine the country's leadership for the next four years. While most interviewees favored right-wing parties, their preferences fractured across multiple candidates.

A Maariv poll published Friday indicates the political tide is shifting. The opposition bloc now leads the current coalition by six seats. This gap widened despite the two largest parties being separated by only two seats. Nationally, support for the governing coalition dropped by three seats compared to the previous week's survey.

The polling data suggests a higher turnout than the last election. Currently, 81% of Israelis say they are certain to vote. This figure exceeds the 71% turnout recorded in 2022. In that previous election, Likud received about 23% of the vote, Yesh Atid got 17.79%, and the Religious Zionist Party secured 10.84%.

Street interviews conducted at Shuk Mahane Yehuda and Ben Yehuda Street revealed specific motivations. Some voters remained loyal to Netanyahu, citing his relationship with the United States. One man stated, “He is a great ally to America, America is a great ally to him.” Another noted that his policies are the right ones to follow.

Other residents expressed dissatisfaction with the current leadership. A man in Mahane Yehuda said he is likely voting for a rival, noting, “I don't like part of their attitude.” A woman leaning toward former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett praised his team's commitment to the country over populism. She said, “He really cares about the country and not about populism or making money for himself.”

Religious values also drove voting decisions. Several interviewees supported Shas and the Religious Zionist Party because they serve Haredi communities. Two individuals named Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich as their choice, citing shared values and security. One described him as someone they believe in for the next few years.

Uncertainty persists among some households. A woman in the Nachlaot neighborhood said her family wants lower prices and support for Torah learning. She admitted, “we love Netanyahu, but I don't understand too much politics, so I'm not sure, I have to ask my husband what exactly we are doing.” Nationally, 60% of Israelis favor a unity government if no clear result emerges.

The election is scheduled for Tuesday. The Knesset has 120 seats, and a bloc needs 61 to form a government. Current polling places the opposition ahead of the coalition, though late shifts in right-wing votes could alter the final tally.