Israeli Parties Vie for Votes in Tight Election Race

With less than three weeks until the Knesset elections, Israeli political parties are intensifying their efforts to win over voters and gain parliamentary seats. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is focusing on increasing voter turnout, particularly in areas with historically low participation. He is also strategically attempting to boost the Likud party's mandate by drawing support from within his own right-wing bloc.

Netanyahu's strategy involves bolstering parties like Bezalel Smotrich's Religious Zionism, which polls suggest has a narrow margin of error. He is also reportedly considering whether to urge voters to cast their ballots for Likud to avoid "risking" their vote. Meanwhile, Netanyahu appears to be limiting the growth of Itamar Ben-Gvir's Otzma Yehudit party, aiming to prevent it from becoming too large while ensuring it stays above the electoral threshold. Ben-Gvir, however, is pursuing his own agenda, portraying Netanyahu as unwilling to form a government with Otzma Yehudit, despite Netanyahu's statements about forming a coalition based on the current government and potentially expanding it.

Tensions between Likud and Otzma Yehudit surfaced this week after Likud signed a surplus vote agreement with Religious Zionism but not with Otzma Yehudit. Otzma Yehudit released a statement accusing Likud of attempting to diminish their party and exclude Ben-Gvir from a unity government. Netanyahu has also publicly praised Simcha Rothman of Religious Zionism for his work against the "legal dictatorship," indicating support for Smotrich's party. Ben-Gvir, conversely, aims to attract young voters from Likud, and Tali Gottlieb's move to Otzma Yehudit is expected to facilitate this.

In a separate battle for votes, Aryeh Deri's Shas party is competing with Otzma Yehudit for traditional voters, especially among the youth. Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef has publicly criticized Ben-Gvir, questioning his actions and adherence to rabbinical opinions, particularly regarding the Temple Mount. Netanyahu has also indirectly addressed claims that his coalition relies on draft-dodging Haredim, stating that demonstrations by a small extremist group do not represent the entire Orthodox community.

Within the opposition bloc, parties are also engaged in maneuvering to attract voters. Gadi Eisenkot is positioning himself as a leading figure, challenging Netanyahu to a debate. Parties like Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid's National Unity Party are trying to reclaim votes that have shifted to Eisenkot, particularly from former Yesh Atid voters. Merav Ben-Ari advised voters to carefully consider the reliability of candidates in the Knesset, implying a preference for Bennett's party over Eisenkot's.

With most polls indicating a near-even split between the blocs, the outcome of the election on October 27 will likely depend on which side can successfully sway undecided voters in the final days of the campaign.