Israeli Leaders Diverge on Campaigning During Terror Attack
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu canceled Likud's election events following a Friday terror attack, while rivals Yair Lapid and Naftali Bennett continued campaigning with social media posts. The differing responses highlight campaign strategies in the final days before Tuesday's elections. Bennett's party is polling at 14 mandates, and Netanyahu's bloc at 50.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Prime Minister Netanyahu halted election campaigning after a terror attack, unlike his rivals.
- Yair Lapid and Naftali Bennett posted political messages on social media during the attack.
- The elections are scheduled for the upcoming Tuesday.
- Bennett's party is polling at 14 mandates, while Netanyahu's bloc is at 50.
- Security officials warned against politicizing heightened security tensions.
While a severe terror attack occurred at the Yehuda Junction on Friday morning, prominent Israeli politicians took different approaches to their election campaigns. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the cancellation of all Likud party political events scheduled for that morning in response to the attack. In contrast, Yair Lapid, chairman of the Yesh Atid party, and Naftali Bennett, chairman of the Bayit Yehudi party, published political messages on social media.
Lapid's tweet focused on strengthening the right-wing bloc, stating, "With the data, one cannot argue: the moment 'Bayit Yehudi' strengthens, the entire bloc strengthens. Strengthen 'Bayit Yehudi', and you increase the bloc's chances of winning." Bennett, meanwhile, posted a message encouraging voters to join his WhatsApp group to convince their families to vote for him, saying, "The niece is considering voting for Ben Gvir? Grandpa is still undecided who to vote for? Add me to the family WhatsApp group and I will convince everyone to vote for me. We won't stop until everyone is convinced!"
Netanyahu's decision to halt political activities came shortly after reports of the security incident emerged. The differing responses from the party leaders have raised questions about campaign conduct in the final days before the upcoming elections, scheduled for Tuesday. Security officials have warned against politicizing security tensions, especially amid heightened tensions with Iran, where an Israeli-American attack is reportedly anticipated in the coming days.
Recent polls indicate a shift in support, with Bennett's Bayit Yehudi party rising to 14 mandates, while Netanyahu's bloc remains at 50 mandates. The article also briefly mentions a separate report about a secret account and $1 billion through Israel that is causing a stir in Washington.
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