Israeli Parties Race to Finalize Knesset Lists Ahead of Deadline

With only three days remaining until the Tuesday 10:00 PM deadline for submitting Knesset lists, Israeli political parties are in a final scramble to form alliances and solidify their electoral slates. The outcome of negotiations between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Gadi Eisenkot is seen as potentially decisive in shaping the political map and maximizing guaranteed votes above the electoral threshold.

Netanyahu's Likud bloc has seen one significant union so far with the merger of Smotrich and Feiglin. However, Itamar Ben-Gvir insists on running independently, despite his potential inclusion offering Netanyahu "complete peace of mind." A key concern for Netanyahu remains Ofer Winter, who has reportedly rejected various proposals for mergers, splits, and reserved spots, and is currently unwilling to run alongside Smotrich and Ben-Gvir.

In contrast, Eisenkot's bloc has completed two major moves: the early alliance between Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, and the consolidation of Arab parties. While these alliances aim to prevent vote wastage, they may also be pushing the opposition further from the 61-seat majority needed to form a government, according to recent polls.

Hili Tropper, currently polling below the electoral threshold, is another critical player. Although Eisenkot and Bennett are interested in him, the assessment is that he will withdraw if he submits an independent list and senses danger.

Elsewhere, the departure of Gilad Erdan followed a failed attempt to align with Yuli Edelstein and position themselves as "presenters" for a "third bloc." Benny Gantz's poll numbers are also reportedly not promising. Dedi Shacham, who previously worked with Gantz, appears to be out of the political picture, likely ending his career without a reserved spot in Likud. Additionally, smaller parties like Avi Maoz's Noam and the Haredi Public Party, running independently, threaten to siphon votes from the right-wing bloc, with Yaron Zelekha also reportedly wasting right-wing votes according to Channel 13 poll data.