Right-Wing Vote Splitting Threatens 61-Seat Majority, Channel 14 Reports
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
Small right-wing parties risk not passing Israel's election threshold, potentially costing the bloc a 61-seat majority, according to Channel 14. Prime Minister Netanyahu and Religious Zionism's chairman are urging these parties to withdraw to secure the necessary seats. Meanwhile, testimony from former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit in a separate trial has raised questions about prosecutorial conduct and Netanyahu's investigation.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Three small right-wing parties may fail to pass the election threshold, jeopardizing a 61-seat majority.
- Prime Minister Netanyahu and Religious Zionism's chairman are urging smaller parties to withdraw.
- Internal polls suggest the opposition bloc would need only 45 seats if right-wing parties fail.
- Testimony from former AG Mandelblit has led to judicial criticism of the prosecution.
- New details suggest Netanyahu was not informed of bribery suspicions during his investigation.
With less than a week until the general election, three small parties on the right-wing bloc are at risk of not passing the electoral threshold, potentially costing the bloc its chance to secure a 61-seat majority in the Knesset. Channel 14's political desk chief Moti Tochfeld reported that these parties, which could collectively lose hundreds of thousands of right-wing votes, include Am Israel, Noam L'Yisrael, and the Haredi public.
Prime Minister Netanyahu and the chairman of the Religious Zionism party met with rabbis to convey the urgency of the situation. They presented a scenario where if these smaller parties, all aligned with the right, do not withdraw their candidacies, the likelihood of achieving the necessary 61 seats to form a government diminishes dramatically. According to internal polls presented, Arab parties are projected to win 15 seats and the Democrats another 10, meaning the opposing bloc would only need 45 seats to prevent the right from forming a government.
The report also touches on the ongoing trial of former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit. During his testimony, judges reportedly expressed strong criticism of the prosecution. New details emerged, including the claim that Netanyahu was not informed he was suspected of bribery during his police investigation, a basic right for any suspect. Mandelblit's testimony is seen by the defense as bolstering their argument of a political witch hunt.
Further revelations from Mandelblit's investigation suggest that Case 1000 was previously examined by former Attorney General Weinstein, who decided to close the case. However, the same prosecutors allegedly presented the materials again to Mandelblit without disclosing that the case had already been reviewed and dismissed.
Mentioned
