Israeli Parties Rush to Finalize Election Lists Amid Intense Negotiations

With the September 8 deadline looming for submitting election lists to the Central Elections Committee, Israeli parties are engaged in a flurry of negotiations and coalition talks. The "Amcha Yisrael" party, led by Ofer Winter, is under pressure from its bloc to either merge with "Tzionut Datit" and "Zeut" or accept reserved spots within "Likud" and "Tzionut Datit." Winter has rejected both proposals, with a party candidate stating a preference for alliances with "new figures and forces." Polls suggest "Amcha Yisrael" is hovering around the electoral threshold with four mandates.

In "Likud," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to decide on filling four vacant spots on the party's list. Former high-profile figures Gabi Ashkenazi and Yossi Cohen are reportedly no longer considered candidates, as internal polls indicated their inclusion would not boost electoral gains. The "Likud" secretariat is scheduled to vote on Netanyahu's appointments on September 7.

Meanwhile, opposition parties are discussing a potential merger between Gadi Eisenkot's "Yashar" party and Naftali Bennett's "Bayahad" bloc, though Eisenkot views it as unfavorable. "Yashar" is also negotiating with Hili Tropper of "Bait Tzioni" about Tropper joining Eisenkot's list, with Tropper demanding specific Knesset seats for his associates, including Yoaz Hendel, who is reportedly hesitant about a minority government reliant on the "Ra'am" party.

"Yisrael Beiteinu" and the "Bayahad" bloc are set to present their lists on September 6. "Yesh Atid" leader Yair Lapid has presented his party's representatives for the "Bayahad" list, which he heads. Key figures on the "Bayahad" list include MK Merav Ben-Ari, Maj. Gen. (res.) Noam Tibon, and former minister Merav Cohen. An agreement allocates 40% of "Bayahad's" list seats to "Yesh Atid" representatives. Polls indicate "Bayahad" is projected to win 13-14 mandates.

In the centrist bloc, Benny Gantz's "Kachol Lavan" party is running independently after coalition talks with Gilad Erdan's "Achdut" party collapsed. "Achdut" announced its withdrawal from the elections on September 4 due to insufficient support to cross the electoral threshold. Some political observers speculate Gantz might be aiming to hurt the opposition's vote share or even secure a position in a future Netanyahu government.

An internal crisis has emerged within the ultra-Orthodox bloc, where Rabbi Dov Lando removed MKs Moshe Gafni and Uri Makleb from the "Degel HaTorah" list. Gafni, who led the party since 2009, and Makleb were reportedly removed after failing to pass a law exempting ultra-Orthodox men from IDF service. MK Yaakov Asher will now lead the party.