Israel Begins Official Party List Submissions for Upcoming Elections

Israel's Central Elections Committee began officially accepting party list submissions on September 7, 2026. The submission period opened at 1:00 PM and will close at 10:00 PM on September 8, after which no further changes or bloc formations will be permitted.

Discussions are ongoing within the opposition regarding a potential merger between the Yashar party and the Yahad bloc, though success is considered unlikely. Yashar submitted its list in Rosh Ha'Ayin on September 7 but plans to file it with the Central Elections Committee later on September 8 to maintain negotiation flexibility.

In a separate development, Ofer Winter, head of the Amcha Yisrael party, rejected an offer to run with the Tzionut Datit party. Winter intends to submit his party's list early to alleviate pressure, with party representatives stating that alliances are only possible with new political figures. The Likud party criticized this stance, with MK Avihai Boaron warning it would "burn right-wing votes and collapse the entire right-wing camp."

Within Likud, uncertainty remains over reserved spots allocated to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Reports indicate the party is still trying to recruit former IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi, despite his previous refusals. Due to difficulties securing external candidates, there is consideration of assigning two spots to candidates who did not win primaries, including former Shin Bet head Avi Dichter. The Likud secretariat's vote on the final list has been postponed to September 8.

Meanwhile, the ultra-Orthodox bloc Yahadut HaTorah is experiencing internal turmoil. Following leadership changes in Degel HaTorah and the expulsion of MKs Moshe Gafni and Uri Makleb, Agudat Yisrael leader Yitzhak Goldknopf has stripped his key advisor Moti Babchek of his powers. The final decision on Babchek's fate rests with the head of the Gur Hasidic dynasty.