Israeli Party Leaders Appeal to Voters Ahead of Elections

As the election week for the 26th Knesset begins, leaders of major Israeli parties have penned appeals to the public, outlining their platforms and promises. These statements, published by N12, cover a wide political spectrum, from incumbent Likud Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu to figures like Gadi Eisenkot, Naftali Bennett, Yair Golan, and others, including those polling below the electoral threshold.

Benjamin Netanyahu positions the election as a choice between his strong right-wing government, which he claims will complete the "great mission" of confronting Iran and ensuring Israel's future with President Trump's support, and a "dangerous" alternative government led by Eisenkot with Arab parties, Golan, and Bennett. He warns against voting for parties that may not pass the electoral threshold, citing the 1992 election as a cautionary tale that led to the Oslo Accords.

Gadi Eisenkot criticizes the current leadership for prioritizing survival over vision, attributing the "greatest disaster" since the state's founding to them and accusing them of enabling mass draft evasion during wartime. He advocates for a new, unifying leadership based on Zionism and statemanship, promising a broad Zionist government, a state inquiry commission, and the defeat of Hamas.

Naftali Bennett, returning to politics after October 7th, emphasizes the need for deep repair, proposing a "servants' revolution" where those who don't enlist receive no state funding, aiming to transfer NIS 30 billion from draft evaders to those serving. He also vows to dismantle the "non-Zionist Haredi state" and implement strong management and personal example to counter chaos and division.

Yair Golan frames the election as a fight for democracy, highlighting past protests and the response to the October 7th attacks. He calls for a state inquiry commission, equality in burden-sharing, strengthening democracy, separating religion and state, and ending Jewish and Palestinian terror, aiming to return Israel to its liberal, democratic, and Zionist path.

Other party leaders also present their core messages: Yousef Jabareen of the Joint List stresses the necessity of removing Netanyahu's government and offers an alternative of a just peace with two democratic states on the 1967 borders, advocating for the rights of the Arab minority. Avigdor Lieberman of Yisrael Beiteinu prioritizes workers and those who serve, promising uncompromising security, equality in burden-sharing, and responsible economics, while also proposing term limits for the Prime Minister. Aryeh Deri of Shas reaffirms his commitment to the weak, Torah scholars, and Israel's Jewish identity, while also focusing on economic relief and social welfare. Itamar Ben-Gvir of Otzma Yehudit highlights his actions as National Security Minister, including distributing weapons and hardening conditions for terrorists, and seeks to be Defense Minister to implement further right-wing policies. Yaakov Asher of Yahadut HaTorah emphasizes protecting Torah scholars and the Haredi public while also showcasing the party's broader contributions to Israeli society across various sectors. Bezalel Smotrich of the Religious Zionism Party points to achievements in settlement expansion and security policy, warning against a left-wing government that would establish a Palestinian state and dismantle settlement achievements. Mansour Abbas of Ra'am focuses on civil-ethical partnership, practical solutions for Arab citizens, combating crime, and improving planning, construction, and education in Arab communities. Ofer Winter of Am Israel calls for a new right-wing leadership to decisively defeat enemies and address internal societal divisions, including the integration of the Haredi public into the IDF. Yoaz Hendel of HaMiluimnikim-HaKalkalit argues for a broad Zionist government without Haredi or Arab parties, presenting his party as a solution to political deadlock and the high cost of living.