Netanyahu Aims to Consolidate Right-Wing Votes Ahead of Election
Translated & summarized from Srugim by baba
The Likud party is strategizing to consolidate right-wing votes in the final two weeks before the election, aiming to prevent smaller parties from "burning" votes above the electoral threshold. Party officials believe Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc could reach 61 seats, potentially increasing to 63 if certain parties withdraw. Prime Minister Netanyahu has publicly criticized candidate Ofer Winter, who has in turn criticized Netanyahu's response to Hamas.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Likud is strategizing to consolidate right-wing votes in the final two weeks before the election.
- Party data suggests smaller parties are "burning" thousands of votes collectively.
- Likud plans to pressure Rabbi Aberjel's party to withdraw from the race.
- Netanyahu's bloc could reach 61 seats, potentially 63 if certain parties withdraw.
- Netanyahu has criticized candidate Ofer Winter, who has responded critically.
- Failure of smaller parties to pass the threshold could cost the right-wing bloc 2-3 seats.
The Likud party convened Monday to discuss its election campaign strategy for the final two weeks before the vote. According to reports, Likud campaign data indicates that smaller parties within the right-wing bloc are each "burning" thousands of votes, which collectively amount to a significant number. Consequently, the party decided to exert significant pressure in the final days to encourage the withdrawal of Rabbi Aberjel's party from the race.
Sources within Likud believe that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc could reach 61 Knesset seats after the election. This projection could increase to 63 seats if parties led by Yoaz Hendel, Yaron Zehlikah, and Ofer Winter withdraw before the election, according to a report by Anna Barsky in Maariv.
Likud strategists estimate that even if these parties remain in the race but are significantly weakened by a campaign against them, the number of votes lost to the bloc might be smaller. However, if these parties fail to pass the electoral threshold on election day and collectively "burn" votes equivalent to two to three Knesset seats, it would harm the right-wing bloc.
Netanyahu has recently intensified his criticism of Ofer Winter, urging him to withdraw and labeling him "Bibi 2" in reference to former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. Winter has responded by criticizing Netanyahu, accusing him of a weak response to Hamas.
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