Israeli Parties Finalize Lists for 2026 Elections Amidst Alliances and Solo Runs

The deadline for submitting party lists for the 2026 Israeli elections has passed, solidifying the political landscape. The Likud party, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, has finalized its slate, including notable placements such as Talik Guili, mother of fallen officer Ran Guili, at ninth place, media personality Yaakov Bardugo at eleventh, and reservist Eliyahu Medan, who lost both legs in Gaza, at fifteenth. Other additions to the Likud list include attorney David Peter (16th), former MK Eli Goldschmidt (26th), and Itzik Bunzel, father of fallen soldier Amit Bunzel (29th).

Several parties are running independently, including Gadi Eisenkot's Yisrael Beiteinu, Yair Golan's Democrats, Shas, Itamar Ben-Gvir's Otzma Yehudit, and the "Achva" party formed by Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid. United Torah Judaism will also compete as a joint list, maintaining its alliance between its Hasidic and Lithuanian factions despite internal shifts.

Arab parties will see a joint list comprising Hadash-Ta'al-Balad, alongside Ra'am, led by Mansour Abbas, running with Yoav Seglovich. The Religious Zionist bloc, headed by Bezalel Smotrich, will form a technical alliance with Moshe Feiglin's Zehut party, enhancing their chances of crossing the electoral threshold.

A number of parties have opted to run independently, risking failure to pass the minimum electoral threshold of 3.25%. These include Ofer Winter's "Am Israel," Avi Maoz's Noam, Benny Gantz's National Unity, Yoaz Hendel and Yaron Zelicha's "Israel First," and Sharan Haskel's "Israel First."

Additionally, several new ultra-Orthodox parties have entered the race, facing significant challenges in surpassing the electoral threshold. These include "The Ultra-Orthodox Public" led by Moti Leitner, "HaKehel" led by Rabbi Aberjil, and the "Draft Dodgers' Protest" party, "Tzeva Shachor - Magen Olam HaTorah."