Israeli Parties Finalize Knesset Lists Ahead of Deadline

Israeli political parties are racing against the clock to submit their final candidate lists to the Central Elections Committee before the Tuesday 10 PM deadline. While most major parties have already filed, several are still negotiating last-minute alliances and "reserved" spots to optimize their electoral chances.

Shas submitted its list, notably including reserve Lieutenant Colonel Dror Amos, aiming to attract votes from reservists. Among the parties yet to submit are the Likud, Religious Zionism, Blue and White, United Torah Judaism, and the Joint List. The latter faced a delay due to the removal of a New (Hadash) candidate, Jaafar Farah, following anonymous sexual misconduct allegations; he has been replaced by Fatenn Ghattas.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party is grappling with the allocation of "reserved" list positions. Netanyahu sought 10 personal reservations, including for ministers like Gideon Sa'ar and Yisrael Katz, and MK Miki Zohar. Businessman Oren Dobronsky was initially slated for a spot but may forfeit it due to his dual US citizenship. Netanyahu also plans to reserve spots for Talik Guili and Elisha Medan. He has reportedly been rejected by several prominent figures, including mayors Haim Bibas and Robi Danilovich, and former ministers Moshe Kahlon and Ronen Dermer, as he seeks "new blood" to boost the party's public image.

The "third bloc" of parties aiming for a broad unity government has seen consolidation but faces uncertainty about crossing the electoral threshold. Splits within this bloc, including the short-lived "Unity" party led by Gilad Erdan and divisions between Benny Gantz's National Unity and Yoaz Hendel's "Commanders for Israel's Future," have occurred. Hili Tropper has joined Gantz's party, while Hendel's group has merged with Yaron Zelekha's "Economic" party and Einat Wilf's "Oz" party, showing potential to pass the threshold.

Religious Zionism, led by Bezalel Smotrich, aims to diversify its list beyond Ashkenazi settlers, potentially by including a non-settler candidate. Smotrich criticized Ofer Winter's party registration for potentially hindering coalition-building. The ultra-Orthodox parties are also finalizing their lists amidst internal disputes. Shas's list includes former minister Yoav Ben-Tzur and MK Moshe Abutbul, with Amos at sixth place. A new party, "The Haredi Public," led by Moti Lightner, targets modern and independent Haredim, including those supporting military conscription.