Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu embraces Gilad Shalit upon his return to Israel. Photo: IDF Spokesperson.

As Israel heads into early elections, to be held on Sept. 4, a spate of preliminary polls have emerged, all predicting a landslide victory for the current ruling party, Likud, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at its helm.

A poll conducted this week by the Dahaf Institute for the Knesset Channel predicts that television journalist turned politician Yair Lapid, and his Yesh Atid (There is a Future) party, will emerge from the upcoming election as the fourth largest party, with 12 Knesset seats. The same poll forecasts 31 seats for Likud, making it the largest party and cementing its status as the ruling party, 17 seats for Labor (up from the current eight) and 13 seats for Yisrael Beitenu (down from 15).