Netanyahu's Election Strategy: Consolidating Right, Undermining Rivals

As candidate lists close for the upcoming elections, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appears to have failed in unifying the right-wing bloc optimally, while opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot has achieved greater success in consolidating his camp. Eisenkot's coalition sees all participating parties clearing the electoral threshold, providing a comfortable starting point. In contrast, Netanyahu faces risks with some parties in his bloc.

Initially, Netanyahu reportedly considered offering Ofer Winter a surplus agreement with the Likud, aiming to gauge his reaction. Simultaneously, Bezalel Smotrich was expected to align with Itamar Ben-Gvir, and United Torah Judaism with Shas, to prevent vote wastage. However, a subsequent strategy emerged: to eliminate Winter's candidacy by ensuring his party fails to pass the electoral threshold, forcing him to withdraw to avoid embarrassment. Netanyahu subsequently signed a surplus agreement with the Religious Zionism party, a move that also sidelines Ben-Gvir, who is left without a party to partner with unless he agrees to join Winter.

Netanyahu has also strategically bolstered the Likud's list by incorporating new candidates connected to the October 7th events, including individuals who lost family members or were wounded. This move is seen as a clear message that Netanyahu remains the leader, even in the face of failures, and aims to rally support against potential investigations. Notable additions include Talik Guili, mother of a fallen soldier, Itzik Bonzel, who lost his son, and Elisha Medan, who was severely injured. The article also highlights the recruitment of attorney David Peter, who recently won a significant legal battle against the Attorney General, and Yaakov Bardugo, a commentator known for his strong pro-Netanyahu stance, as key electoral assets.

Meanwhile, the ultra-Orthodox party United Torah Judaism underwent significant internal upheaval. This included the unexpected removal of leaders Moshe Gafni and Uri Maklev, the repositioning of Yisrael Eichler, and the formation of a new faction. A key arbitration agreement between the Vizhnitz and Belz Hasidic groups shifted their positions on the party list, potentially impacting representation, particularly for Vizhnitz if the party secures only seven seats.

The article suggests that Netanyahu's strategy with the Likud list, including the addition of prominent figures and those impacted by recent events, aims to present a refreshed image and counter the perception of a weakened party. This is contrasted with the opposition's lists, which are described as less appealing. The inclusion of figures like former Labor party official Eli Goldschmidt is framed as representing a shift in perspective following recent events, rather than mere opportunism.