Netanyahu's Likud Plans Campaign to Reclaim Voters from Ben-Gvir's Party

The Likud party is reportedly developing a targeted campaign aimed at regaining voters who have shifted to the Otzma Yehudit party and diminishing its influence. This strategic move by Likud is happening concurrently with a similar effort by the Shas party, which also seeks to win back votes that have gone to Itamar Ben-Gvir in recent years. The impetus for this strategy comes from internal Likud polls suggesting Otzma Yehudit's support could reach 12 to 15 Knesset seats. Likud campaign officials aim to curb Ben-Gvir's growing strength and return his party to what they consider its "natural dimensions" of seven to eight seats at most. These are strategic goals set by the campaign leadership, not necessarily figures reflected in recent public polls. Officials close to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu do not anticipate that all seats lost by Otzma Yehudit will directly transfer to Likud. The campaign's assessment is that these votes will be divided among several parties within the right-wing bloc, including Likud, Shas, and potentially the Religious Zionism party. For Netanyahu, the primary objective is to bolster the Likud as the dominant ruling party for the next government formation, while carefully preserving the overall strength of the right-wing bloc. The Likud understands that a significant increase in Ben-Gvir's power at the expense of his bloc partners could considerably enhance his bargaining power in future coalition negotiations.