Netanyahu Faces Chaotic Coalition Talks as Election Deadline Looms

With less than a week until the deadline for submitting Knesset lists, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is urging smaller parties within his bloc to unite to avoid losing votes. Netanyahu specifically called for Itamar Ben-Gvir, Bezalel Smotrich, and Ofir Winter to merge their factions. Smotrich, leader of the Religious Zionism party, and Itamar Ben-Gvir of Otzma Yehudit remain at odds over a joint run, despite polls indicating a unified list would garner significantly more seats than separate candidacies. Meanwhile, Ofir Winter's 'Am Israel' party is also navigating its position, with potential mergers impacting its electoral viability.

Adding to the disarray, the Likud party's own list is facing internal challenges. Netanyahu has utilized several reserved spots for allies, but with limited slots remaining, potential candidates like Gabi Ashkenazi and Moshe Kahlon are reportedly out of contention. The Likud list also faces criticism for its lack of female representation, with only one woman in the top ten. Tali Gottlieb, a Likud candidate, has reportedly threatened to leave the party over her placement and has been linked to Ben-Gvir, while denying claims of a deal involving Netanyahu's legal reform.

The ultra-Orthodox parties are also contributing to the electoral uncertainty. While United Torah Judaism will run as a unified list, Shas will run separately. However, new ultra-Orthodox factions are emerging, seeking to capture votes and potentially enter the Knesset, challenging the established parties. These new groups are driven by dissatisfaction with the current representation and the failure to pass a conscription exemption law. Polls suggest these new factions could weaken the established ultra-Orthodox parties, with Shas seeing a decline in support.

In the opposition, Benny Gantz is reportedly seeking the top spot on a unified list, bringing a significant financial contribution and existing Knesset seats. Negotiations are ongoing between Gantz's National Unity party and other factions, including those led by Gadi Eisenkot and Naftali Bennett, though no definitive mergers have been announced. Polls indicate that many of these parties, running separately, are struggling to pass the electoral threshold.

Meanwhile, the Arab political parties are also undergoing consolidation. A merger between former MK Yoav Seglovitz and the Ra'am party has been finalized, with Seglovitz slated for the second position on Ra'am's list. Additionally, the Hadash, Ta'al, and Balad parties have officially announced their unification, with Joseph Jabarin at the helm, followed by Ahmed Tibi and Sami Abu Shehadeh. However, this joint list has faced criticism for its lack of prominent female candidates in realistic positions.