Israeli Election Campaigns Intensify With Fear-Mongering and Bloc Strategies

As Israel's election approaches its final stretch, parties are intensifying efforts to mobilize voters, often employing fear-based messaging and targeting specific blocs. The 'Yash' party, led by Gadi Eisenkot, is pushing two main messages: the election is extremely close to boost turnout, and his party must be the largest to secure the first mandate to form a government. Eisenkot is leveraging Prime Minister Netanyahu's past statements, suggesting that a large 'Yash' party could form a stable government, even a minority one.

The Likud party is focusing its campaign on fear-mongering videos, linking opposition leaders with Arab parties to appeal to right-wing voters. Netanyahu is expected to release numerous videos warning of dire consequences if the right-wing bloc falters. The campaign also targets voters of Yoaz Hendel and Yaron Zelekha, portraying them as wasting right-wing votes, with videos depicting them burning ballots alongside Arab politicians.

'Achva' is concentrating on social media and direct engagement, particularly with self-identified Likud supporters. They are concerned that Eisenkot's push for 'Yash' to be the largest party could shrink their own support and are emphasizing that the largest party doesn't always form the government, citing past examples like Tzipi Livni.

The Joint List is focusing on maximizing Arab voter turnout, aiming to broaden its base and re-engage disillusioned voters. The Democrats, led by Yair Golan, are trying to reassure 'change bloc' voters by firmly committing to not sit with Netanyahu and warning of potential defections from other bloc parties.

Yisrael Beiteinu's Avigdor Lieberman is targeting Netanyahu's bloc, focusing on draft exemptions for yeshiva students and arguing that Netanyahu will not form a Zionist government but rather one dependent on Arab parties. The Haredi parties, Shas and United Torah Judaism, are concerned about new lists like 'Tzeva Kachol' potentially drawing votes and are working to retain their base, while also attacking rivals like Ben-Gvir and Smotrich.

Otzma Yehudit's Itamar Ben-Gvir is attempting to draw votes from the Likud and other right-wing factions, claiming Netanyahu won't include his party in the government unless it's larger. Religious Zionism's Bezalel Smotrich has focused attacks on Ofer Winter, even offering him a ministerial post in exchange for withdrawing from the race, to highlight Winter's perceived stubbornness.

Ra'am, led by Mansour Abbas, is increasing its field campaign, particularly in the Negev's Bedouin communities, to influence government formation and address local issues. The 'HaMeyuchad' party, benefiting from Benny Gantz's withdrawal, is focusing on economic debates between Netanyahu and Yaron Zelekha, planning to use past praise from Netanyahu for Zelekha in their campaign.

Ofer Winter's 'Am Israel' party is facing pressure from Netanyahu and the right-wing bloc to withdraw. Winter is using these attacks for a victimhood narrative and is also targeting Russian-speaking voters, with candidate Yosef Haddad gaining traction. The party believes it can secure one to two mandates from Lieberman's supporters, which could be crucial for crossing the electoral threshold.