Israeli Election Countdown: Intra-Bloc Rivalries and Voter Turnout Focus
Translated & summarized from NEWSru Israel by baba
Nine days before Israeli elections, both the ruling coalition and opposition are focused on internal rivalries and voter turnout. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces challenges from parties like "Amcha Israel" and "Otzma Yehudit," while also worrying about low turnout among his base. The opposition, led by Gadi Eisenkot, is also battling internally, with Yisrael Beiteinu's Avigdor Lieberman proposing a law to disqualify Netanyahu. The opposition believes high turnout could lead to a majority.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Israeli parties are focused on internal rivalries and voter turnout with nine days left until elections.
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sees threats from "Amcha Israel" and "Otzma Yehudit," and low right-wing turnout.
- Netanyahu's Likud fears "Otzma Yehudit" gaining double-digit mandates could complicate coalition talks.
- Opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot's bloc is also dealing with internal conflicts and emphasizing voter turnout.
- Avigdor Lieberman of Yisrael Beiteinu proposed a law to disqualify indicted individuals from running for PM.
- The opposition claims a turnout of 76% or higher could secure them 61+ Knesset seats.
With nine days remaining until the 26th Knesset elections, both the ruling coalition and the opposition are engaged in internal power struggles and efforts to maximize voter turnout on October 27. Leaders Benjamin Netanyahu and Gadi Eisenkot are vying for the position of head of the largest party in the Knesset. Netanyahu's camp believes the "Tzionut Datit"-"Zeut" list is secure, thus minimizing the impact of calls to vote solely for Likud. Netanyahu perceives the main threat from Ofer Vinter's "Amcha Israel" party and the rising popularity of Itamar Ben-Gvir's "Otzma Yehudit." Likud's attacks are primarily directed at Vinter's party, while they also worry that "Otzma Yehudit" securing a double-digit mandate count would complicate coalition negotiations. Neither "Amcha Israel" nor "Otzma Yehudit" signed residual vote agreements by the deadline. Likud is also deeply concerned about low turnout among right-wing and ultra-Orthodox voters, fearing a loss of mandates due to a lack of enthusiasm. Within the opposition bloc, the "Yashar" party and its partners are in conflict. Following Yisrael Beiteinu's confirmation that it rejects a minority government, party head Avigdor Lieberman advocated for a law barring indicted individuals from running for prime minister, which he believes would remove Netanyahu from politics and facilitate an alternative government. "Democratim" leader Yair Golan expressed concern about potential "deserters" from the "Yashar" list being swayed by Netanyahu. The opposition bloc also emphasizes voter turnout, with Yisrael Beiteinu claiming that a turnout of 76% or higher would secure them 61 or more mandates.
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