Israeli Lawmaker Warns Netanyahu Will Rely on Ultra-Orthodox and Arab Votes

Member of Knesset (MK) Merav Cohen of the Yesh Atid party expressed concern on Monday regarding the recent decline in polls for the "change bloc" and her party, which merged with Yamina to form the "Achva" party. Speaking on Radio 103fm, Cohen stated that the bloc was close to securing 61 Knesset seats but that the entry of new parties had altered the balance. She suggested that high voter turnout could lead smaller parties to fall below the electoral threshold, potentially enabling the bloc to reach the 61-seat majority.

Cohen specifically warned that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would "with 100% certainty" rely on votes from ultra-Orthodox parties that advocate for draft evasion, and to some extent, on Arab votes. She asserted that Netanyahu would "go to them" to secure majorities for specific decisions, which would result in both draft evaders and Arab representatives being part of the governing coalition. A recent poll by Kan 11 showed an even split between the blocs, with each receiving 52 seats.