Israeli Election Campaigns Intensify as Party Lists Solidify
As Israel's election campaign officially kicked off on September 8th, parties finalized their Knesset lists, setting the stage for a 46-day battle for votes. The period leading up to this was characterized by tactical maneuvering and negotiations over candidate placements. The "National Religious Party" (Tzionut Datit) merged with "Zeut" as the primary union among right-wing factions. Notably, Benny Gantz's "Blue and White" party dissolved, with Hili Tropper joining "Yesh Atid." Gantz himself is running separately, forming a technical bloc with Yaron Zelicha. Ofer Winter, a prominent figure, is running independently.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced challenges in finalizing the Likud party list, securing the right to appoint eight candidates but ceding three spots to current ministers. His strategy appears to balance attracting disillusioned former Likud voters with retaining his core base, exemplified by the inclusion of war hero Elisha Madan and Channel 14 personality Yaakov Bardugo. The addition of lawyer David Peter signals a continued focus on judicial reform. However, Netanyahu failed to recruit several prominent figures, including Gabi Ashkenazi and Yossi Cohen, to his list. Significantly, for the first time in over two decades, the Likud list lacks a Russian-speaking candidate in a prominent position, a move criticized by Yisrael Beiteinu.
The success of Ofer Winter's "Am Israel" and Yoaz Hendel's "National Camp" (Miluimnikim) is seen as crucial for the right-wing bloc. Hendel formed an alliance with Yaron Zelicha's "Economic Party." The article highlights the importance of these parties, along with "Tzionut Datit," clearing the electoral threshold to prevent Gantz from forming a coalition. Netanyahu's previous tactic of attempting to politically eliminate smaller parties, as seen with Naftali Bennett's "New Right" in 2019, is noted as a potential strategy against Winter, though its effectiveness is uncertain. "Tzionut Datit" has an agreement with "Otzma Yehudit," while "Am Israel" has one with "HaTzionut HaDatit."
The opposition bloc's structure remains complex, with Avigdor Lieberman's Yisrael Beiteinu distancing itself from Gantz's "Yesh Atid." Lieberman's party has an agreement with "Bayahad," leaving Gantz to potentially rely on Yair Golan for residual votes. This positioning draws criticism from Likud, which questions Gantz's alliances. Lieberman criticizes Gantz for his willingness to compromise with ultra-Orthodox parties and form a minority government. "Yesh Atid" aims to present a choice between a minority government and perpetuating Netanyahu's rule.
In the ultra-Orthodox political sphere, Moshe Gafni and Uri Maklev have left the Knesset, with Yaakov Asher now leading "Degel HaTorah." Asher is expected to maintain a firm stance on the conscription law. Gantz may need to seek alliances with ultra-Orthodox parties like Shas or "Degel HaTorah" if his bloc falls short of a majority. The article also mentions the nascent party "HaTzibur HaCharedi" led by Moti Leitner, which currently polls below the electoral threshold but is generating discussion within the ultra-Orthodox community.
