Political Analyst: Opposition Disagreements Hurt Chances Against Netanyahu

Political analyst Dr. Salim Brik stated that the final days of the election campaign are focused on increasing voter turnout, as recent polls show close races but no significant shifts between blocs. Brik explained that the key is mobilizing existing supporters to vote, rather than persuading undecided voters.

He noted that the controversy surrounding the "Naza" film coincided with increased voter engagement, a common trend in the final election stretch where parties shift from attracting new voters to mobilizing their base. Polls indicate a tight race, with "Yash" and Likud neck and neck and no clear majority for either bloc to form a government alone.

Brik identified a lack of coordination among opposition leaders, specifically mentioning Gadi Eisenkot, Avigdor Lieberman, and Naftali Bennett, as a weakness. He believes disputes over leadership and recognition of a single leader could hinder their ability to unify their message and reach voters, causing the opposition's campaign to "erode from within" due to internal attacks.

Furthermore, Brik highlighted the impact of the Arab voter turnout, suggesting a drop below 65% would significantly affect seat distribution. He contrasted the 2020 turnout of 65% with a recent decline to 53%, noting a potential rise to 67% if the Joint List is reformed.

Brik criticized the opposition's limited ability to influence the media agenda, arguing that Prime Minister Netanyahu, as head of government, effectively controls public discourse, aided by supportive media figures. He suggested the "Naza" film issue benefited Netanyahu politically, while the opposition failed to elevate other key issues.

He also commented on Netanyahu's US visit, suggesting the opposition could have leveraged his participation in the UN General Assembly and the lack of a scheduled meeting with President Trump as political opportunities. Brik urged the opposition to establish a coordination mechanism to unify their messages and goals, even without agreeing on a single leader, proposing unified stances on issues like changing Knesset leadership post-election to influence voters.