Israeli Election Campaign Sees Shifting Media Strategies and Unanswered Questions

Ahead of the elections, Israeli political commentary highlights a surprising shift in the media presence of prominent figures associated with the Likud party. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, described as a seasoned campaigner, is reportedly managing the current election effort independently. This has led to speculation about the reduced visibility of Miri Regev and Yaakov Bardugo, figures previously known for their strong media presence. One analysis suggests that Netanyahu may be sidelining them to project a more moderate image and broaden his support base, potentially deeming their confrontational style less suitable for his current strategy.

Bardugo, in particular, has seen a dramatic decrease in his media appearances, with one report noting he traveled to Vienna 18 days before the election. This strategic move is interpreted by some as an attempt to silence potentially disruptive voices until after the election, focusing on gaining votes now and addressing internal party noise later. However, this approach carries the risk of a "double game," projecting an image of statesmanship externally while maintaining the internal political machinery that propelled his power.

Beyond campaign tactics, the article touches upon other significant issues. Concerns are raised about Benny Gantz, and the ongoing "Barberman affair" is mentioned, along with unusual protocols and testimonies from a Flydubai flight. The piece also references a heroic Israeli passenger's account of a Flydubai flight incident, detailing a situation where a flight attendant allegedly attempted to release a subdued suspect from restraints. The passenger, Assaf Radwan, suspected the flight attendants' involvement, though this claim requires further investigation.

Commentator Amnon Abramovich criticized Minister Miri Regev and the Ministry of Transportation for alleged failures, citing budget allocations and Regev's extensive travel abroad. The article concludes by framing the election not just as a test of who can project a more statesmanlike image, but also as a crucial question of whether the public is ready to return power to a leader who has yet to provide sufficient answers regarding the "greatest disaster" that occurred under his watch, referring to the October 7th events.