Netanyahu's Election Strategy Criticized Amidst Right-Wing Party Splits
Translated & summarized from Kipa by baba
Senior political commentator Michael Shemesh criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's election strategy, pointing to numerous small right-wing parties at risk of failing to pass the electoral threshold. Shemesh warned that tens to hundreds of thousands of votes could be lost, potentially deciding the election's outcome. Netanyahu's office and Likud have been pressuring these parties to withdraw, but their leaders currently intend to run.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Michael Shemesh criticized PM Netanyahu's election strategy due to small right-wing parties risking vote loss.
- Five specific right-wing parties are identified as being near or below the electoral threshold.
- Shemesh warned that tens to hundreds of thousands of votes could be wasted.
- Netanyahu's office and Likud are pressuring small parties to withdraw from the elections.
- Despite pressure, the leaders of these parties currently intend to compete in the elections.
Channel 13's senior political commentator, Michael Shemesh, has criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's handling of the upcoming elections, citing the proliferation of small parties within the right-wing bloc. Shemesh argues that as the election nears its decisive moment, numerous right-wing lists are hovering at or below the electoral threshold, a situation that could significantly harm the bloc's chances of victory.
Shemesh identified five parties that could lead to a substantial loss of votes: Am Israel, led by Ofer Vinter; Hachareidi Ha'am, led by Moti Leitner; the Achi party; Avi Maoz's Noam party; and the Tzav Shechor party. He warned that these lists, potentially gathering tens or even hundreds of thousands of votes, could see those votes wasted if they fail to pass the electoral threshold.
"Tens to hundreds of thousands of votes! A very failed organization by Netanyahu ahead of the elections," Shemesh wrote, emphasizing that this potential vote loss could single-handedly determine the election outcome. This criticism comes as Netanyahu and the Likud party have been intensifying pressure on these smaller right-wing parties to withdraw and prevent vote wastage.
Reports indicate that individuals from Netanyahu's office attempted to arrange a meeting with Rabbi Zvi Tau, the spiritual leader of the Noam party, but were refused. Similarly, Likud and Religious Zionism representatives approached Moti Leitner with various proposals to persuade him to withdraw his candidacy. Significant pressure is also being applied to Ofer Vinter, especially following Benny Gantz's earlier withdrawal from the race. However, as of now, the leaders of these parties maintain their intention to compete in the elections.
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