Likud Leaders Rally Supporters, Vow to Advance Judicial Reform

Thousands of supporters attended a "Hakafot Shniyot" (re-raising of the cups) event hosted by the Likud party at Expo Tel Aviv on Thursday. Senior party officials used the occasion to address the upcoming elections, the composition of the next government, judicial reform, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ongoing trial.

Justice Minister Yariv Levin expressed confidence that right-wing voters would turn out in large numbers, stating, "We will complete the reform and fundamentally change the composition of the Supreme Court." He urged right-wing voters to set aside internal disputes and focus on the "historic opportunity" to advance the judicial overhaul and other national priorities, including settlement expansion in Judea and Samaria. Levin dismissed speculation about Netanyahu forming a government with Benny Gantz as "spins," emphasizing the importance of strengthening Likud and uniting the right-wing bloc.

Education Minister Yoav Kisch warned of potential vote loss on the right, urging supporters to vote only for parties likely to pass the electoral threshold. He specifically expressed concern that Ofer Winter might not pass the threshold, potentially diverting votes to Gantz's party. Kisch also dismissed rumors of Netanyahu forming a government with Gantz as "nonsense," inviting any party that aligns with the bloc's core principles to join.

Member of Knesset Moshe Saada commented on the upcoming testimony of former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit in Netanyahu's trial, predicting that Mandelblit would "stammer" and "tremble" as the "truth is revealed." Saada alleged that Mandelblit was complicit in alleged misconduct, including deception and illegal wiretapping, aimed at undermining Netanyahu. He believes Mandelblit's testimony will be dramatic and unfold over multiple hearings, potentially extending into the election period, and urged prosecutors to "crucify him with questions."