Moshe Yaalon
Moshe YaalonYonatan Sindel/Flash90

Most Israelis would prefer Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon to remain in his post during the 20th Knesset, according to a poll released Sunday, instead of other "security experts" touted by major parties for the post for the next government. 

Ya'alon was favored by far by the respondents of the survey, conducted by TRI for Channel 10 news, with 35.7% of 504 respondents preferring the current minister over other candidates.

The preference was highest among the traditional Jewish population and respondents aged 45-54. 

Support was comparatively low for other candidates, who some may argue have higher qualifications - including Jewish Home Chairman Naftali Bennett, who preemptively urged a terror tunnel operation before Operation Protective Edge in Gaza started, Major General Yoav Galant of Kulanu, former leader of the Southern command, and new Labor candidate Amos Yadlin, who was the former chief of Military Intelligence (MI). 

Despite this, just 14.3% of respondents prefer Bennett as Defense Minister, along with 14.1% for Yadlin and 13.7% for Galant. 22% of respondents still do not know whom they would prefer in the post. 

Both Bennett and Yadlin are front-runners for Defense Minister in the event of a right-wing and a left-wing government, led respectively by Likud and Labor. Recent polls indicate that the parties are in fierce competition for the top spot.