Gantz Fears Campaign Failure, Hints at Move to Save Party
Translated & summarized from Israel Hayom by baba
Benny Gantz's National Unity party is struggling in election polls, prompting a new campaign to attract voters from other parties. The party fears failing to cross the electoral threshold but hopes a strong campaign can lead to a surprise victory.
The story in 4 lines · by baba
- Benny Gantz's party faces low poll numbers three weeks before elections.
- A new campaign urges voters to switch to National Unity.
- The party believes the electoral threshold is hindering its support.
- National Unity may withdraw if chances of crossing the threshold diminish.
Benny Gantz, leader of the National Unity party, is facing a significant challenge in the upcoming elections, with polls showing his party struggling to gain traction just three weeks before voting. Gantz's initial strategy was to run independently, believing his message of a broad unity government would attract voters dispersed among other parties, enabling him to surpass the electoral threshold. To address this, Gantz is launching a new campaign centered on the slogan "Voters - Move," aiming to convince supporters of other parties to switch their votes to National Unity.
The party believes its potential is significantly higher than the roughly six seats indicated in current polls, attributing the low numbers to voter apprehension about wasting their vote on a party perceived as being below the electoral threshold. National Unity's internal research suggests that the threshold, not Gantz's message or leadership, is the primary obstacle. The campaign's goal is to generate momentum in the coming weeks, fostering a belief that the party will overcome the threshold.
If Gantz can demonstrate increased support in polls, moving beyond the current one percent, National Unity is hopeful that undecided voters will coalesce around his party. However, if the party's support fails to materialize, they have indicated a willingness to withdraw from the race a few days before the election to prevent wasted votes. Despite this contingency, the party currently maintains that they are on track to surprise expectations and enter the Knesset.
