Netanyahu Camp Intensifies Pressure on Small Parties to Withdraw
Translated & summarized from Mako by baba
Prime Minister Netanyahu's camp is intensifying pressure on small right-wing parties to withdraw from elections, using billboards and job offers to prevent vote splitting. Dudi Ben Zion of "Am Israel" has withdrawn following this pressure, while the "Noam" party is also being targeted. "Am Israel" has condemned the tactics as fearmongering, but "Noam" remains resolute in its decision to run. The campaign aims to consolidate the right-wing bloc ahead of the elections.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Netanyahu's camp is pressuring small right-wing parties to withdraw from elections to avoid vote splitting.
- Tactics include billboards, job offers, and behind-the-scenes negotiations targeting parties like "Am Israel" and "Noam."
- Dudi Ben Zion of "Am Israel" has withdrawn due to this pressure, citing concerns about wasting votes.
- The "Am Israel" party has strongly condemned the pressure campaign as despicable fearmongering.
- The "Noam" party, also under pressure, has stated its intention to continue running until the end.
- Newer candidates are particularly vulnerable to these tactics as they seek political entry post-October 7th.
The camp surrounding Prime Minister Netanyahu is escalating efforts to persuade small right-wing parties to withdraw from the upcoming elections, primarily out of concern they will not pass the electoral threshold. This pressure campaign involves tactics such as billboards, emissaries offering positions, and behind-the-scenes negotiations. Following the first withdrawal, Dudi Ben Zion from the "Am Israel" party, the focus of these efforts has expanded to include the "Noam" party and other candidates.
Billboards have been erected near the homes of candidates, including Dudi Ben Zion and Lali Darai, urging them to quit the race. One billboard near Ben Zion's home read, "Dudi, withdraw! Don't endanger the country," framing continued participation as a risk to the right-wing bloc due to potential vote splitting. Emissaries have also been sent to candidates with offers of future positions in an attempt to secure their withdrawal. The "Am Israel" party has vehemently denounced these tactics, calling the campaign "one of the most despicable fearmongering campaigns seen in the country" and an attempt to prevent new people from entering politics.
The pressure is not limited to "Am Israel." Negotiations are also underway with figures associated with Rabbi Tzvi Tau, aiming to convince the "Noam" party to withdraw. There have been veiled suggestions that "Noam" members will not have a receptive audience in the next government. However, "Noam" and those around Rabbi Tau have stated they intend to run until the end and are not deterred by the pressure.
Many of the candidates targeted by this pressure are newcomers to politics who entered the field following the October 7th events and are seeking political integration without being placed on the Likud party list. Some have been personally affected by the war. The withdrawal of Dudi Ben Zion illustrates the impact of these campaigns on individuals new to the political arena, who face significant challenges from personal campaigns, emissaries, and job offers.
Davidi Ben Zion, who resigned from "Am Israel," spoke with Ofer Winter, urging him to withdraw to avoid wasting right-wing votes, citing recent polls showing Winter's party far from the electoral threshold. Ben Zion stated he had no prior commitments and would continue his role as Deputy Head of the Samaria Regional Council. "Am Israel" released a statement after Ben Zion's departure, expressing sorrow over the pressures and threats he and his family faced, attributing them to elements resistant to new, clean forces in Israeli politics.
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