Likud officials are trying to exhibit an air of calm following the Tuesday night release of the latest Channel 2 News election poll. The poll follows the Israel Railways’ chilul Shabbos crisis and as a result, Likud drops from being the largest party in Knesset and Yair Lapid and his Yesh Atid party assumes that role. The poll also follows the High Court of Justice ruling on the crisis in which the court ruled PM Netanyahu exceeded his authority by ordering a halt to the chilul Shabbos maintenance and upgrade work by the railway.

The results of the poll follow.

The number in parenthesis is the party’s standing in the Knesset today.

Yesh Atid 24 (11)

Likud 22 (30)

Bayit Yehudi 14 (8)

Machane Tzioni 12 (24)

Arab Bloc 13 (13)

Yisrael Beitenu 10 (6)

Yahadut Hatorah 7 (6)

Shas 6 (7)

Kulanu 6 (10)

Meretz 5 (5)

Coalition Chairman MK (Likud) David Bitan told the media he does not accept the results of the poll. He explains that recent polls show a different picture, one with Likud remaining the ruling party. He expressed confidence the Israel Railways’ issue will be resolved to the satisfaction of citizens.

The poll was conducted by Prof. Mina Tzemach and her Midgam Institute in cooperate with iPanel following the Israel Railways’ crisis.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)