Israeli Parties Submit Knesset Lists Ahead of Deadline

Political parties in Israel are finalizing their Knesset candidate lists today, Tuesday, with the deadline for submission to the Central Elections Committee looming. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to reveal his reserved spots on the Likud party list this morning. The Likud secretariat is scheduled to approve Netanyahu's reserved candidates in Jerusalem at 2:00 PM, with the official submission of party lists to the committee expected between 4:00 PM and 10:00 PM, potentially extending to midnight depending on the committee chairman's decision.

Yesterday, representatives from various competing lists arrived at the Knesset to submit their candidate slates to the Chairman of the Central Elections Committee, Judge Noam Sohlberg. Nine parties have already submitted their lists, including "HaMiluimnikim" led by Yoaz Hendel, "Yachad" by Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, "Yashar!" by Gadi Eisenkot, "Amcha Yisrael" by Ofir Winter, "Yisrael Tochila" by Sharen Haskel, Shas, Otzma Yehudit, "HaDemokratim," and "HaTzibur HaCharedi."

Netanyahu has faced internal party pressure regarding the reserved list positions. He reportedly ignored an ultimatum from the party's tribunal and had not published the Likud list by yesterday. He subsequently announced he would petition the district court if a secret ballot was ordered. Later, he informed the Likud tribunal that he would publish the names of those receiving reserved spots this morning.