Small Parties Fight to Cross Election Threshold Amid High Turnout
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
Several Israeli parties are fighting to cross the 3.25% electoral threshold in the upcoming Knesset elections, with high voter turnout making it more difficult. The "Reservists and Economic" list led by Yoaz Hendel and Yaron Zelekha is closest to the threshold at 1.9%, according to a Channel 14 poll. Recent days have seen withdrawals from Blue and White and the Achi movement, though some parties like Ofer Vinter's and Moti Leitner's intend to continue. Yisrael Beiteinu and Religious Zionism-Identity are polling above the threshold.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Several Israeli parties are struggling to cross the 3.25% electoral threshold for Knesset entry.
- The "Reservists and Economic" list is closest to the threshold at 1.9% in a Channel 14 poll.
- High voter turnout increases the number of votes needed to enter the Knesset.
- Blue and White and the Achi movement have withdrawn from the election race.
- Yisrael Beiteinu and Religious Zionism-Identity are polling above the threshold.
Several parties are struggling to surpass the 3.25% electoral threshold to enter the 26th Knesset, with a high voter turnout potentially making it harder for smaller lists. If turnout reaches approximately 70%, a party would need around 165,000 votes to secure a seat, a figure that increases with every percentage point of turnout. In the previous election, Meretz and Balad fell below the threshold, collectively receiving about 290,000 votes.
According to the latest Channel 14 poll, the "Reservists and Economic" list, led by Yoaz Hendel and Yaron Zelekha, is closest to the threshold with 1.9% of the vote. "Am Israel" led by Ofer Vinter follows with 1.5%. Other lists polling below the threshold include "Noam LeIsrael" led by MK Avi Maoz at 0.6%, and the Haredi list led by Moti Leitner at 0.3%. Hendel's and Vinter's lists did not sign a surplus agreement, with each side blaming the other for failed negotiations.
Above the threshold in the poll, Yisrael Beiteinu, led by Avigdor Lieberman, is the smallest party to cross it, securing five seats. "Religious Zionism-Identity" is also above the threshold with seven seats, having aligned with Likud during the campaign to strengthen its position.
In recent days, the number of contenders has decreased. On October 19, Benny Gantz announced the withdrawal of Blue and White from the race. Last Friday, the "Achi" movement also withdrew as part of negotiations led by Minister Yoav Kisch at the request of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Following Gantz's withdrawal, Netanyahu urged smaller right-wing parties to act responsibly and drop out. However, Ofer Vinter and Moti Leitner have stated they will continue their campaigns until the end.
Mentioned
