Israeli Election Rivals Netanyahu and Eisenkot Focus on Party Strength

With 12 days remaining until the Knesset elections, major rivals Benjamin Netanyahu and Gadi Eisenkot have adopted a strategy to maximize their respective parties' vote counts, even at the expense of political allies. Eisenkot alluded to this tactic on Thursday, October 15, drawing immediate criticism from parties within the "change bloc." Netanyahu, previously focused on consolidating the right-religious bloc, now aims to bolster the Likud party's position, recognizing the "Religious Zionism" party's likely success in crossing the electoral threshold. Both leaders are striving to emerge on October 28 as the head of the strongest party within their respective blocs, acting as party leaders rather than camp leaders.

Eisenkot's approach stems from ongoing disputes with his bloc partners, who have not unequivocally endorsed him as their prime ministerial candidate. To secure a mandate from the president to form a government, he needs the highest possible vote count. This strategy carries a risk, as warned by the "change bloc," that Eisenkot's campaign might boost his party's seats while weakening the opposition bloc overall.

Netanyahu's situation is different. While his leadership is undisputed, he faces constant pressure from coalition partners, particularly Itamar Ben-Gvir's "Otzma Yehudit" party. Netanyahu seeks to weaken Ben-Gvir to limit his ability to secure key ministerial posts, such as the defense and justice ministries, which Ben-Gvir has demanded.

In the days leading up to October 15, Israelis received numerous text messages asking whom they support, Netanyahu or Eisenkot. The Likud views the leader of the "Yesh Atid" party as their main rival and wants the final campaign stage to be a direct contest. However, the "change bloc" leaders, including Avigdor Lieberman, Naftali Bennett, and Yair Golan, aim to avoid this scenario, fearing it would sideline their parties and cost them votes.

Allies of Eisenkot are employing targeted operations. "Democratic Movement" candidates are campaigning in Arab communities with potential support for Golan, while Bennett is focusing on Likud strongholds, particularly among disillusioned Netanyahu voters. Lieberman is appealing to traditional right-wing voters, aiming to draw support away from Smotrich, and his list includes many religious Zionists and former Likud officials.

On October 15, Avigdor Lieberman stated at an event that his bloc would not support a minority government, even temporarily. This statement countered Eisenkot's earlier suggestion that he would seek to form a minority government if the opposition bloc did not secure 61 seats. Lieberman expressed confidence that the "change bloc" would achieve a solid majority in the upcoming elections, regardless of recent polls.

Eisenkot later remarked at the same event that every Israeli citizen should feel represented and that the "Zionist, state-majority" of Israel should lead the country. He pledged to work towards being seen as the prime minister for every Israeli citizen, even those who did not vote for him.