Israeli Parties Unveil Election Campaigns Ahead of Crucial Vote

With exactly one month remaining until elections widely considered the most critical in Israel's history, political parties are launching their campaign strategies. The upcoming election, scheduled for October 27th, sees parties focusing on distinct messages to sway voters.

The Likud party, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is campaigning on two fronts: national security and politics. Their slogan, "We Will Not Surrender," highlights Netanyahu's perceived achievements during the war following the October 7th attacks and his long-standing ability to navigate international pressure. The campaign also targets rival Gadi Eisenkot, questioning his English proficiency and experience in foreign affairs. Politically, the Likud emphasizes Eisenkot's potential to form a government with Arab parties, a scenario currently unlikely according to polls.

Gadi Eisenkot's National Unity party is centering its campaign on his leadership and ability to rebuild Israel post-war, contrasting his authenticity with Netanyahu's perceived artifice. The party aims to position itself as a governing force, having recently surged in polls. Eisenkot is actively campaigning in traditionally Likud strongholds, seeking to break established voting patterns.

Otzma Yehudit, led by Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, focuses on his controversial policy changes within the police and prison service, particularly regarding security prisoners and the death penalty law for terrorists. To counter criticism of rising crime, the campaign promotes a gun distribution initiative. Ben-Gvir also seeks to gain votes from the Likud and Shas, targeting young voters on social media and positioning himself as an alternative to Netanyahu.

Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's party, Yamina, is running a largely positive campaign focused on work and rehabilitation plans for Israelis in areas like security, cost of living, and education. Having merged with Yair Lapid's Yesh Atid, the party boasts a significant ground operation and a strong digital presence, aiming to attract undecided voters across different blocs.

Bezalel Smotrich's Religious Zionism party is running a separate campaign from Moshe Feiglin's Zehut, focusing on Smotrich's "revolution in Judea and Samaria" and aiming to instill pride in ideological right-wing voters. A key vulnerability is the issue of ultra-Orthodox conscription, and the campaign employs fear-mongering tactics, warning of a Palestinian state under an Eisenkot government.

Avigdor Lieberman's Yisrael Beiteinu party presents itself as a Zionist and liberal alternative to the current government, which Lieberman labels "the government of the massacre" and "the government of draft dodgers." The campaign targets current government supporters and Likud voters considering switching, emphasizing a message of returning to the Likud's past principles.

Yair Golan's The Democrats are campaigning on the message "You can count on the Democrats," positioning themselves as the only clear Zionist left-wing party unwilling to sit in a government with Netanyahu, the ultra-Orthodox, or "Kahanists." The party emphasizes its large membership base and aims to persuade undecided voters within its bloc.

Shas, an ultra-Orthodox party, is focusing on its traditional voter base with messages of unity and reconciliation, particularly after the contentious conscription law debates. Party leader Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef has strongly criticized Ben-Gvir, urging voters to support only those with "fear of heaven."

United Torah Judaism is delaying its main campaign push until after the holidays, with initial messaging focusing on "the right to be Haredi" and emphasizing rabbinical directives for voting.

Ofir Winter's Am Israel party presents a contradictory image, endorsing Netanyahu while claiming to bring new faces to politics. The campaign's core message is "decisiveness," with Winter seeking the role of Defense Minister and criticizing the government's handling of the Gaza conflict.

The alliance of Yoaz Hendel and Yron Zelicha, "The Reservists and the Economists," focuses on ultra-Orthodox conscription and governance, alongside economic reforms and reducing the cost of living.

Ra'am, led by Mansour Abbas, centers its campaign on "influence," aiming to secure a place in the coalition to achieve budgets and solutions for the Arab public, rather than solely opposing the government. Personal security and combating crime are key issues, though the Palestinian issue remains on the agenda.

The Joint List, comprising Hadash, Ta'al, and Balad, is campaigning on the strength of its reunification after previous splits, emphasizing increased Arab voter turnout and opposition to the current government's policies, alongside Palestinian issues.

Benny Gantz's National Unity party is struggling to cross the electoral threshold but continues its campaign, focusing on the need for a broad, cross-bloc Zionist government and highlighting Gantz's reliability in difficult times.