Netanyahu Pushes Right-Wing Unifications Amid Resistance and Offers Reserved Knesset Seats

With less than two weeks remaining before the candidate list deadline for the upcoming Israeli elections, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is intensifying efforts to prevent vote splitting within the right-wing bloc. Concerned about multiple small parties potentially failing to cross the electoral threshold, Netanyahu is promoting unifications between key right-wing figures. His plan includes merging the factions of Ofer Winter with Bezalel Smotrich, and Moshe Feiglin with Itamar Ben-Gvir, although none of the four politicians currently support these forced alliances.

To incentivize such mergers, Netanyahu is holding five realistic reserved spots on the Likud party list, including three high-ranking positions. These reserved seats are intended either to integrate smaller factions directly into Likud or to compensate candidates who relinquish their positions during party consolidations. Netanyahu previously offered Winter a guaranteed spot on the Likud list, but Winter declined and reportedly did not respond to the offer. Winter’s associates explain his refusal by citing his unwillingness to join a party involved in the perceived failure of October 7.

Recent polls show Winter’s party ranging between zero and six Knesset seats, with political maneuvering expected to intensify in the coming week as election day approaches. Dimona Mayor and Likud member Benny Biton revealed that Winter was initially slated for a reserved spot by Netanyahu but chose to sever contact, even screening calls from the Prime Minister’s office. Biton emphasized that Netanyahu is not worried about Winter’s popularity but rather about the overall right-wing bloc’s cohesion. He predicted Winter will ultimately align with Netanyahu and serve under his government.

Biton also addressed past criticisms Winter made of Netanyahu following October 7, suggesting that such statements are typical election rhetoric and that unity will prevail when forming the next government. Netanyahu’s strategy reflects his urgent attempt to consolidate the right-wing vote and avoid fragmentation that could weaken their electoral strength ahead of the elections scheduled in 62 days.