Israeli Parties Intensify Final Campaign Push Ahead of Elections

With exactly one week remaining until election day, Israeli political parties are escalating their efforts to win over voters, taking their campaigns to the streets and employing aggressive tactics. The final week is seen as the last opportunity to influence undecided voters.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, leading the Likud party, is focusing on visiting malls and giving interviews, particularly in areas where Likud needs to increase voter turnout. The party's campaign centers on two main messages: "It's right-wing or Palestine," aiming to mobilize voters fearful of a joint government with Arab parties, and portraying Netanyahu as someone who "does not surrender." Netanyahu has been actively engaging with the public in shopping centers and cafes, warning that Gadi Eisenkot intends to form a government with Mansour Abbas. The Likud is also leveraging social media with similar content and Netanyahu is giving interviews to media outlets not typically aligned with him to attract moderate right-wing voters. There is criticism that senior Mizrahi candidates are being kept out of the campaign to avoid alienating certain demographics.

Gadi Eisenkot's National Unity party is targeting the periphery and traditional Likud strongholds, aiming to establish itself as the largest party. The campaign is focusing on voters who don't typically support "change" parties but are open to Eisenkot. They have identified around 40 target cities to capture undecided votes. Special efforts are being made to reach liberal, serving soldiers, youth, and first-time voters. The party is highlighting its diverse list, which includes representatives from various sectors, to appeal to a broad audience. A major event is planned in Tel Aviv under the slogan "Israel embarks on a new 'path'."

Naftali Bennett's party is concentrating on positive messaging and engaging with young people and first-time voters through social media influencers. They are also targeting serving soldiers with a plan to reward those who serve over draft dodgers. Party members are holding rallies nationwide, emphasizing the need for change and promising to establish a state inquiry commission and accelerate a fair conscription plan upon forming a government.

Israel Beiteinu is deploying its entire staff to grassroots campaigning, including home gatherings, conferences, and personal meetings across the country. Their digital teams are also active. The core message, displayed on billboards, is that Avigdor Lieberman will unite everyone, and those who don't serve will not receive state funding, under the slogan "100% for those who serve - 0 for draft dodgers." The party is also encouraging voters from other "change" bloc parties to turn out, emphasizing a shared responsibility to increase the bloc's strength.

The Democratic party is organizing a memorial ceremony for former Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and a "March of Democracy" followed by a rally. They are also mobilizing 10,000 volunteers to be present at polling stations on election day. Their platform includes repealing "regime change" laws, enacting a law against indicted individuals serving in government, and enshrining the values of the Declaration of Independence into basic laws.

United Torah Judaism is working to energize voters and reach segments that might drift to other parties. While not publicly addressing the "Hachareidi Public" party, Chairman Yaakov Asher is meeting with working and conscripted ultra-Orthodox individuals, promising to establish Torah study centers that include secular studies and vocational training. Rabbis are emphasizing the importance of voting for the party and countering attempts by extremist factions to discourage voters over issues like the draft law.

Shas is focusing on preserving Judaism and tradition, with spiritual leader Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef touring the country to promote voting for the "life's work of Maran" (his late father, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef). He has warned against voting for those who ascend to the Temple Mount, explicitly stating it is forbidden by Halakha to support parties whose members ascend there.

Bezalel Smotrich's Religious Zionist party is focusing on persuading voters to choose him over Ofir Winter or the Noam party, and is touring yeshivas to energize its base. Smotrich is also trying to appeal to a more bourgeois segment of the religious-nationalist public, visiting synagogues and communities that previously voted for Naftali Bennett and Ayelet Shaked.

Ofir Winter's party is attempting to differentiate itself from the government, particularly from Netanyahu, who has attacked him. Winter has declared he will run until the end, emphasizing that the right-wing is not solely represented by Netanyahu and criticizing the current government's performance against Hamas. He is also leveraging attacks from Netanyahu's bloc to portray his campaign as one of victimhood.

Yoaz Hendel's party feels strengthened by Benny Gantz's withdrawal, believing they are a second choice for Gantz voters who don't want to align with any bloc. They plan to release videos highlighting Netanyahu's past praise for Ze'ev Elkin, despite current attacks. With a limited budget, they are focusing on billboards and messages about conscription and the cost of living.

Ra'am is concentrating on maximizing voter turnout, especially among the Bedouin community in the Negev, emphasizing that increased Ra'am support could influence the next government's composition. They argue that voting for Ra'am is a tool for influencing governance and advancing Arab society's interests in areas like housing, land, budgets, and crime.

The Joint List is intensifying efforts to encourage Arab voter turnout, particularly among undecided or indifferent individuals. Their campaign includes rallies, distribution of materials, and videos highlighting their candidates and messages. They are also attempting to broaden their appeal by running a campaign in Russian for Russian-speaking Israelis. The party plans to present its work plan and vision for an Arab societal safety net in Haifa.

Otzma Yehudit is aiming to gain mandates from other right-wing parties, particularly the Likud, with a campaign focused on the message that "Netanyahu will not bring Otzma Yehudit into the government." The goal is to encourage Likud voters to support Otzma Yehudit, arguing that a larger presence will make them indispensable. Itamar Ben-Gvir is also trying to attract votes from Moshe Feiglin's supporters, who have joined the Religious Zionist party, pointing out that Feiglin is guaranteed a spot but his successor is lower on the list.