Netanyahu Launches Campaign, Attacks Rival Winter

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu launched the Likud party's election campaign on Thursday at an event in Tel Aviv, just 40 days before the upcoming elections. Despite some party members' disappointment with primary results and reserved spots, most Likud Knesset members attended. Outside the venue, protesters demonstrated against Netanyahu and the Likud.

During his speech, Netanyahu directly criticized Ofer Winter, stating, "It is forbidden to vote for a party that does not pass the electoral threshold or that will transfer votes to Lieberman." This statement comes amid internal party competition and challenges.

Despite a Supreme Court ruling earlier that day against the problematic "Elector" app for voter data collection, the Likud party was observed collecting activist details at the event and entering them into an application, seemingly bypassing the court's decision.

Last week, Netanyahu presented new reserved spots on the Likud list, emphasizing the "fateful election" and a choice between a right-wing government and a left-wing government supported by Arab parties. Among the new additions to the list are Channel 14 commentator Yaakov Bardugo, injured reservist Elisha Medan, and Talik Guili, mother of a fallen soldier. Other additions include attorney David Peter, former brigadier general Amir Avivi who later relinquished his spot for a ministerial promise, former MK Eli Goldschmidt, and Itzik Bonzel, father of a fallen soldier.

Recent polling from Channel 13 shows Benny Gantz's National Unity party leading with 22 mandates, while Netanyahu's Likud has hit a historic low of 18 mandates. However, Netanyahu's bloc is projected to have 54 mandates compared to Gantz's 22, with Arab parties holding 14. Ofer Winter's "Amcha Israel" party is polling at 6 mandates, above the electoral threshold, while Yoaz Hendel, Yaron Zelicha, and Benny Gantz's party are polling below it.