Israeli Parties Finalize Knesset Lists Amidst Political Maneuvering

As the deadline for submitting party lists to the Central Elections Committee for the 26th Knesset approaches, several parties have finalized their slates, revealing internal shifts and strategic decisions. The "Yashar" party, led by Gadi Eisenkot, has submitted its full list, following Hili Tropper's decision not to run with Yoaz Hendel. Eisenkot and Naftali Bennett have ruled out any possibility of uniting their parties before the election.

Ofer Winter, head of the "Am Israel" party, has also submitted his list to run independently, despite pressure to unite with other right-wing factions. Bezalel Smotrich of the Religious Zionism party criticized Winter's decision, suggesting it benefits the left, while Winter retorted that the public seeks new leaders untainted by past failures.

Significant changes are also occurring within United Torah Judaism. Rabbi Israel Eichler will head the "Chasidei Belz" movement, with Rabbi Elyakim Stark representing the movement in the Knesset. This follows Rabbi Dov Lando's decision to remove MKs Moshe Gafni and Uri Maklev from the Degel HaTorah party for a "refresh" of its Knesset members. MK Yaakov Asher is expected to lead the party, with Gafni taking a non-executive "representative" role and Maklev remaining on the party's senior national leadership.

Otzma Yehudit leader Itamar Ben-Gvir has submitted his list, including controversial figures like his chief of staff, attorney Hanamel Dofman, and party activist Tzachi Eliyahu, who has displayed a tattoo of the banned Jewish terror organization "Kach" and offered free hospitality to a reservist who vandalized Yasser Arafat's memorial.

Internal disputes continue within the Likud party regarding the placement of reserved spots on its list. The party's tribunal ruled that the proposed reserved list should be given to secretariat members by 9 PM, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had not yet released it. The Likud stated its intention to submit the list the following morning, allowing members time to review it before the final deadline. A tribunal member warned that releasing the proposal shortly before the vote could be seen as an "improper maneuver."

Businessman Oren Dubronsky, initially slated for a reserved spot in the Likud by Netanyahu, announced he would not run for Knesset due to his dual American-Israeli citizenship, which he would need to relinquish. He stated he preferred to serve as a professional minister, a possibility that remains open, rather than a Knesset member.