Israel's Election Lists Finalized Amidst Fierce Political Maneuvering

Israel's political landscape is nearing a critical juncture as parties finalize their candidate lists for the upcoming 26th Knesset elections, with the deadline for submission to the Central Elections Committee set for 10 PM tonight. After weeks of intense negotiations, alliances, and internal power struggles, most major political blocs have solidified their positions, though several strategic decisions remain pending in the final hours.

The Likud party is at the center of a major drama, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yet to reveal his "reserved" list placements. The party's internal tribunal had set a deadline for yesterday evening, which passed without Netanyahu submitting the names. He has since stated he will reveal them this morning. The delay stems from Netanyahu's difficulty in finding prominent public figures willing to join the list, with high-tech entrepreneur Oren Dobronsky reportedly declining a top-ten spot despite an offer for a ministerial position. These reserved spots also create friction with Likud members elected in the primaries, as they push elected candidates further down the list.

In the center-left bloc, a significant development is the joint list formed by Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, named "Achdut" (Unity). This move alters the opposition's internal balance, creating a substantial power bloc. Benny Gantz's "Blue and White" party faces an uncertain future, hovering around the electoral threshold, with recent departures and failed attempts at broader alliances.

Other key developments include Gadi Eisenkot officially submitting his "Yashar!" list, closing the door on a joint run with Bennett and Lapid. Avigdor Lieberman's "Yisrael Beiteinu" will run independently with a refreshed candidate list. Ofer Winter's "Amcha Israel" party will also run alone, despite pressure to merge. The Religious Zionism party, led by Bezalel Smotrich, has united with Moshe Feiglin's "Zehut" party, with ongoing talks to potentially include Avi Maoz of the Noam party. Itamar Ben-Gvir's "Otzma Yehudit" will run independently, breaking from its previous alliance with Religious Zionism.

Within the Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) parties, "Yahadut HaTorah" is undergoing a generational shift, with veteran lawmakers expected to step down. "Shas" is also finalizing its list, balancing new faces with experienced parliament members. The article also notes the formation of alternative Haredi lists, including one that includes a woman, a significant departure from the traditional parties' stances. The final hours will also see decisions on ballot letter designations, a crucial element for campaign visibility.