Israeli Parties Submit Knesset Lists Ahead of Crucial Deadline

The race for the 26th Knesset has reached its peak, with parties submitting their electoral lists by a midnight deadline on Tuesday. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly still engaged in last-minute negotiations for reserved spots on his Likud list, while key rivals have already unveiled theirs.

Former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot launched his "Yashar" party list, placing former Shin Bet chief Yoram Cohen second, followed by former minister Orit Farkash-Hacohen and educator Adi Altshuler. Former minister Matan Kahane rounds out the top five. Hili Tropper, who recently joined Eisenkot after splitting from Yoaz Hendel, is sixth, with former Ministry of Finance budget chief Shaul Meridor seventh. The list also includes former Ministry of Labor director Tair Ifargan and South Sharon Regional Council head Osherat Gani-Gonen in eighth place, and Shira Shapira, mother of a soldier killed on October 7th, in tenth.

Eisenkot stated his list comprises "excellent Israelis" from security, economy, education, and business sectors, aiming for a "professional, value-based, and state-oriented team" to win the election, replace the current government, and unite the nation. He pledged to restore security, promote growth, and foster unity.

Meanwhile, Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir submitted the "Otzma Yehudit" list, with MK Tally Gotliv, who left Likud, placed second. Ministers Yitzhak Wasserlauf and Amichai Eliyahu are third and fourth, respectively, with MK Limor Son Har-Melech fifth.

Former brigadier general Ofer Winter also submitted his "Am Israel" party list, seemingly ending possibilities for further mergers. Joseph Haddad is second on his list. Bezalel Smotrich of the Religious Zionism party criticized Winter's decision to run independently, warning it could benefit the left and undermine right-wing governance.

Former Prime Ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid presented their joint "Achva" list, with Bennett and Lapid taking the top two spots. The list features a mix of experienced politicians and figures from the October 7th events, with Bennett emphasizing a focus on "doers" rather than "celebrities." Bennett promised a state inquiry into the October 7th failures, integration of the Haredi population into the IDF, designating Qatar as an enemy state, dismantling monopolies, and limiting the Prime Minister's term to eight years.