Israeli Party Leaders Share Election Views in Pre-Vote Interviews
Translated & summarized from NEWSru Israel by baba
Ahead of Israel's October 27th Knesset elections, Newsru.co.il published interviews with 11 party leaders. Figures like Benjamin Netanyahu addressed existential threats, while others like Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid criticized government policies and warned of future crises. Leaders discussed annexation plans, military cabinet decisions, and government coalition preferences. Several parties, including Achdut, withdrew from the race, while others like Balad faced disqualifications.
The story in 7 lines · by baba
- Israeli party leaders shared diverse views on security, governance, and national identity in 11 pre-election interviews.
- Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to prevent a nuclear Middle East and eliminate threats.
- Naftali Bennett called for dismantling the ultra-Orthodox "state within a state."
- Yair Lapid warned of future crises and proposed post-election coalition coordination.
- Itamar Ben-Gvir claimed he voted to liquidate the Palestinian Authority.
- Bezalel Smotrich aims to annex territories and settle one million people in Judea and Samaria.
- Sami Abu Shehadeh advocated for equal rights, opposing "Jewish supremacy."
Ahead of the 26th Knesset elections on Tuesday, October 27th, Israeli news outlet Newsru.co.il published excerpts from 11 interviews conducted over three months with leaders of various parties and blocs. Thirty-seven parties and blocs are competing, with polls indicating 11 to 13 are likely to pass the electoral threshold.
Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu stated his commitment to preventing a nuclear Middle East, calling it an existential threat that requires eliminating those who seek Israel's destruction. Naftali Bennett of Bayit Yehudi warned of "national suicide" and the need to dismantle the "state within a state" sponsored by the ultra-Orthodox. Yair Lapid of Yesh Atid predicted that if current leaders remain in power, "there will be another October 7th," and mentioned a plan for "change bloc" leaders to meet post-election to agree on a single candidate.
Otzma Yehudit's Itamar Ben-Gvir asserted that he was the sole member of the political-military cabinet to vote for the liquidation of the Palestinian Authority. Yair Golan of the Democratic party dismissed the idea of annexing territories with three million hostile Palestinians as "idiotic." Avigdor Lieberman of Yisrael Beiteinu expressed a "Cassandra syndrome," feeling unheard despite warnings, and believes he is the most prepared for the premiership. Bezalel Smotrich of Religious Zionism and Zehut aims to "destroy the very idea of a Palestinian state" and plans to settle one million people in Judea and Samaria.
Ofer Winter of Am Echad Yisrael stated he would not surrender and holds Netanyahu responsible, regardless of his claims of being unaware of threats. Yoaz Hendel of Calcalist Reservists declared they would not join a government with ultra-Orthodox or Arab parties, and believes those who haven't served in the military should not have the right to vote or be elected. Sami Abu Shehadeh, leader of Balad, expressed a desire not to live under "Jewish supremacy," advocating for equal rights for Arabs and Jews. Balad is running as part of the Joint List, though Abu Shehadeh was disqualified by the Central Elections Committee.
Achdut leader Yuli Edelstein, whose party withdrew before registration, stated that any narrow government is detrimental to the country. The outlet noted it was unable to secure interviews with Gadi Eisenkot (Yashar), Yaakov Asher (United Torah Judaism), Aryeh Deri (Shas), and Mansour Abbas (Ra'am) despite repeated requests.
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