Gadi Eisenkot's Party Targets 200,000 Undecided Likud Voters

Gadi Eisenkot's "Yashar" party is aiming to attract approximately 200,000 undecided Likud voters ahead of the upcoming elections, seeking to gain an estimated two additional parliamentary seats. The party is specifically targeting the religious Zionist and traditional segments of the electorate, including those who previously voted for Likud and Shas. "Yashar" believes it has become a "home for religious Zionism" within the "camp of change."

The party also estimates that between 0.5 and 0.7 mandates could come from supporters of Ofer Winter, particularly if they believe Winter will not cross the electoral threshold. A "Yashar" representative acknowledged Winter as a competitor for this demographic.

"Yashar" has divided its target audience into two main groups. The first comprises the religious and traditional public, especially traditional voters from peripheral areas who have previously supported Likud and Shas. The second group is described as "liberal religious Zionism," encompassing moderate national-religious voters who feel unrepresented by parties like Bezalel Smotrich's and Itamar Ben-Gvir's, and no longer see the Jewish Home party as their sole representative.

To engage these voters, "Yashar" has established a dedicated religious Zionist desk led by Matan Kahana and is active in national-religious centers and media. Priority campaign locations include Efrat, Gush Etzion, Givat Shmuel, and Ariel. Slogans like "Home of Religious Zionism" and "New Home of Religious Zionism" are being used, alongside biblical quotes.

The party also highlights its diverse list, including figures like Matan Kahana, Hili Tropper, and Orit Farkash-Hacohen, to appeal to the national-religious community seeking a "camp of change" option. For traditional voters, "Yashar" emphasizes Eisenkot's personal background as the son of a Moroccan family who grew up in a traditional home, despite him not being religious himself. Messaging includes support for Torah study, state-religious education, and strengthening Jewish presence in Judea and Samaria.

Despite these efforts, "Yashar" maintains its liberal stances, including a 3% annual quota for Torah study deferments from military service and support for civil partnerships. The party acknowledges this may alienate some traditional voters but believes its target liberal national-religious electorate will respond positively. "Yashar" estimates the "fragile" Likud electorate at around 200,000, a diverse group that could vote Likud, stay home, or support other parties, and "Yashar" aims to capture a portion of these votes.