Netanyahu's Election Strategy Criticized by Sociologist

Sociologist Tzuriel Sharon has analyzed significant discrepancies in pre-election polls, pointing to a strategic error by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu concerning the prospects of Ofer Vinter's party. Sharon suggests that Netanyahu's alliance with Vinter's party, intended to bolster the right-wing bloc, proved unsuccessful and potentially jeopardized the Likud party's chances of securing a parliamentary majority in the Knesset. Sharon stated, "I believe a serious strategic mistake was made in the Vinter situation." He explained that there is a demand for a right-wing party that supports Netanyahu but offers an alternative to existing parties like Likud, Otzma Yehudit, and Religious Zionism. Vinter's party, according to Sharon, initially met this demand, but Netanyahu's actions may have endangered the right-wing bloc's majority. If Vinter's new party fails to pass the electoral threshold, Netanyahu's supporters will face greater difficulty in obtaining the necessary 61 seats. Current polls indicate Vinter's party is polling at 3.1%, approximately 20,000 votes short of the threshold. However, Sharon acknowledges that actual support might be higher, as Vinter's dispersed voter base may participate less in polls. He estimates a 20-30% chance of an unexpected result for the party, though this is a personal assessment. The article also notes the strengthening of Naftali Bennett's positions and the possibility of a broader national unity government being formed after the October 27 elections.