Likud Forms Special Team to Lure MKs from Gadi Eisenkot's Party

With just two and a half weeks until the dramatic elections, the Likud party has established a special team tasked with persuading Knesset members from Gadi Eisenkot's Yisrael Beiteinu party to defect. The team, composed of Likud MKs and strategic advisors, aims to facilitate the transfer of lawmakers between blocs immediately after the elections. This tactic has been employed successfully in previous election cycles, notably when Likud managed to draw Amichai Chikli and later Idit Silman, then coalition chairwoman, away from Naftali Bennett's party.

This time, the operation has been scaled up with more personnel and refined methods for applying pressure on potential defectors. Reports from past instances indicate that pressure tactics have included organized demonstrations targeting candidates' families and constant presence in their residential areas and near their children's schools. The Likud team is reportedly conducting thorough background checks on all candidates in Eisenkot's list, with a particular focus on new MKs who have right-wing backgrounds or leanings. They are meticulously gathering information on past statements, personal and professional circles, and influences from rabbis or other public figures.

This intelligence is intended to be used to exert pressure after the elections, focusing on political and security stances, and will include a package of promises for those who switch. Both Chikli and Silman reportedly received guaranteed spots on the Likud list and ministerial positions in exchange for their defection. While Chikli has maintained and even improved his standing within Likud, Silman, after serving as Environmental Protection Minister, did not survive the party's primaries and reportedly felt used and discarded by Netanyahu's circle.

Leaders of Yisrael Beiteinu are reportedly aware of these potential post-election maneuvers and have emphasized this during candidate selection, with reports of candidates being asked to pledge loyalty, though party officials have denied this. Legally, such loyalty pledges hold no weight. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, who was significantly impacted by such defections, has reportedly implemented more rigorous vetting for his current party's candidates.

Shaul Meridor, a senior official in Eisenkot's party, stated that "there will be no Silmans" in their list, asserting that all candidates have been thoroughly vetted and fully align with Eisenkot's platform. However, a Likud source believes Eisenkot lacks experience in candidate selection and retention, suggesting some may be susceptible to switching sides due to disagreements with Eisenkot and Yair Golan on security and political matters, or the prospect of forming a government with Arab parties.

Meanwhile, Benny Gantz, chairman of the National Unity Party, declared he is "running to the end" despite polls predicting his party might not pass the electoral threshold. He warned of a potential national disaster and criticized politicians from both blocs for opposing his call for unity, suggesting they prefer political division and further elections, which he believes will weaken Israel and embolden its enemies. Gantz asserted that he does not belong to any bloc and urged voters to support his party for unity, not for partisan divisions.