Netanyahu's Election Strategy Focuses on Consolidating Right-Wing Votes

With the deadline for submitting Knesset lists passed, Israel's election campaign is officially underway, with the right-wing bloc facing a fragmented landscape. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party has finalized its list, incorporating several new prominent figures into realistic positions, aiming to balance experienced politicians with newcomers focused on judicial and media reform. The party leaders who submitted the final list were Minister Yoav Kisch and MK Ofir Katz.

The primary challenge for the right-wing bloc is its division across multiple parties, a situation Netanyahu reportedly wishes to avoid. A significant factor is the independent run of Ofer Winter's "Am Israel" party, which chose not to merge with other factions. Other smaller parties, including Avi Maoz's "Noam L'Yisrael" and the new ultra-Orthodox party "HaTzibur HaHaredi," will also compete.

Netanyahu is reportedly concerned about votes cast for parties that may not pass the electoral threshold, potentially being lost to the right-wing bloc. Consequently, the focus is expected to shift to a campaign aimed at encouraging voters from smaller parties to return to Likud or other established right-wing parties. There may also be efforts to pressure some smaller lists to withdraw.

Another potential complication for the right-wing bloc involves surplus vote agreements. While Likud and the Religious Zionism party have already signed such an agreement, Itamar Ben-Gvir's party has yet to secure a partner. Ofer Winter remains a potential candidate for a surplus vote agreement.