Israeli Politics Heats Up Ahead of Elections with Opposition Unity Efforts and Right-Wing Maneuvering

With the upcoming 26th Knesset elections just six days away, Israeli political parties are intensifying their efforts. Recent developments include attempts to de-escalate tensions between opposition parties, encourage smaller parties to withdraw from the race, and manage internal conflicts within the right-wing bloc. A News 14 poll projects a majority for the right-wing bloc, with 62 seats, while Yisrael Beiteinu sees a decline.

A significant development was the meeting between Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the National Unity Party, and Avigdor Lieberman, leader of Yisrael Beiteinu. Following days of public disputes, the two leaders met to discuss election preparations and agreed on the importance of increasing voter turnout. They emphasized voting for parties likely to pass the electoral threshold to prevent wasted votes against the Netanyahu government and pledged to cooperate post-election to replace it. However, no agreement was reached on who would lead the bloc in forming a government.

Eisenkot reiterated his commitment to replacing the current government and stated he would not serve in a Netanyahu-led government, even in a rotation deal. Similarly, Naftali Bennett, leader of the Telem Party, rejected a rotation agreement with Netanyahu. These stances highlight ongoing divisions within the opposition as parties vie for influence in a potential post-election government formation scenario.

Meanwhile, efforts continue within the right-wing camp to consolidate votes. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly met with Motty Leitner, chairman of the Haredi Public Party, urging him to withdraw from the race, a request Leitner has not yet accepted. Another report indicates that Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich offered Ofer Winter, leader of the Am Israel Party, a ministerial position in exchange for his withdrawal. Winter's party rejected this offer, criticizing the attempt to influence his decision with future government appointments. Winter's party is polling below the electoral threshold.

Internal disputes also persist among parties that were part of the previous coalition. The Likud party accused Itamar Ben-Gvir, chairman of Otzma Yehudit, of spreading anti-Netanyahu messages, while Otzma Yehudit countered that the Likud was preparing for a government with Gadi Eisenkot.

The News 14 poll shows the right-wing bloc with 62 seats and the left-center bloc with 44, with Arab parties taking 14. The Likud leads with 30 seats, followed by National Unity with 20. Telem and Shas are projected to receive ten seats each, with other parties also showing varying seat allocations. Yisrael Beiteinu is projected to receive only five seats.