Only 123 votes separated the opposition and coalition here: "I voted for Gantz - and now Ra'am"

In Yokneam Illit, a city where the gap between the coalition and opposition stood at just 123 votes in the 2022 elections, residents from both sides of the political map share their deliberations and shifts in direction. Reuven, a 60-year Likudnik, is switching to Eisenkot; Lina, who voted for Ben Gvir, is considering returning to Netanyahu; and Ilan, a poet and writer, is torn between Gantz and Eisenkot.

In Yokneam Illit, a city on the northern seam, is a microcosm of the Israeli political map. In the 2022 elections, only 123 votes separated supporters of the coalition (6,121 votes) from supporters of the opposition (5,998 votes). As part of the "50:50" series, ynet reporters went to the city to hear from residents how their positions have changed ahead of the 2026 elections. At the "Birkat Moshe" bakery, the local parliament convenes. Reuven Lavi, a 60-year Likud voter, announces a dramatic switch to Eisenkot: "I saw that everyone there only cares about themselves, they are not fit to lead the country. If I switched, many others will too." Alongside him, Shimshon Shaki, who voted for Gantz in the previous elections, is also moving to Eisenkot, and Binyamin Eliyahu, a traditional Labor voter, calls for establishing a government led by Yair Golan and Eisenkot with an emphasis on drafting Haredim. On the other side, Aviad Kochavi remains loyal to Netanyahu: "As long as I can remember, I'm Bibi." Lina Havia, who voted for Ben Gvir in 2022, is at a crossroads: "I'm not satisfied with Ben Gvir because he was too populist. I might return to Bibi." At "Shavi" falafel, Itamar Shavi criticizes the dumbing down of political discourse and calls for bringing ideology back to the center, while his father Avishai attacks Netanyahu personally and points to Eisenkot as the only worthy candidate.