Netanyahu Focuses on Right-Wing Unity Ahead of Elections Amidst Party Splits

With the deadline for submitting Knesset lists having passed, Israel's election campaign is officially underway, and the right-wing bloc faces a fragmented landscape. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party has finalized its list, incorporating several new, prominent figures into realistic positions, a move intended to balance experienced politicians with newcomers focused on judicial and media reform. However, the broader challenge for the right-wing bloc is its division among multiple parties, a situation Netanyahu reportedly finds concerning.

A significant factor contributing to this fragmentation is the independent run of Ofer Winter's "Amcha Yisrael" party. Winter's decision not to merge with other parties has closed the door on last-minute alliances, shifting the focus to internal party maneuvers and the upcoming campaign. Other smaller parties, including Avi Maoz's "Noam LeYisrael" and the new ultra-Orthodox party "HaTzibur HaHaredi," will also compete, potentially drawing votes away from larger parties.

Netanyahu is reportedly aware of the risk that votes cast for parties failing to pass the electoral threshold could be lost to the right-wing bloc. Consequently, a "drinking campaign" is expected, aimed at persuading voters from smaller parties to return to Likud or other established right-wing parties. There may also be efforts to pressure some smaller lists into withdrawing their candidacies later in the campaign.

Another potential headache for the right-wing bloc involves surplus vote agreements, which allow parties to transfer unused votes to a partner. While Likud and the Religious Zionism party have already signed such an agreement, Itamar Ben-Gvir's party has yet to secure a partner, with Ofer Winter being a potential candidate for such a deal.