Israeli Political Parties React to Election Polls

Following the release of election polls, Israeli political figures began reacting, with the Likud party urging caution and advising against premature celebrations by the "change bloc." Meanwhile, Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the Yishar! party, interpreted the initial results as a vote of no confidence in Prime Minister Netanyahu and declared his intention to work towards forming a new government.

Eisenkot stated that the preliminary poll outcomes indicate a complete lack of trust in Netanyahu and the "October 7th government" from the "state-national majority" and most Israeli citizens. He asserted that if these results hold, it signifies a victory for the "state-national majority" in Israel and vowed to "immediately act to implement the people's decision, to replace the Netanyahu government, and to establish a Zionist conscription government as soon as possible."

In contrast, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar dismissed the celebrations as premature, calling the biased commentators' pronouncements "ridiculous." He emphasized that "one thing is quite clear: the Likud is the largest party in Israel." Education Minister Yoav Kisch echoed this sentiment, advising against rushing to conclusions from the polls and urging patience until the final results are announced.

A senior coalition official blamed Ofer Winter for the discrepancies in the polls, suggesting that Winter's decision to run cost the right-wing bloc significant mandates. The official dismissed Winter's claims of a campaign against him, stating that Winter never had a chance to pass the electoral threshold and that the campaign only reduced wasted votes, calling Winter's navigation "erroneous."

Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar warned that any attempt by Eisenkot, Liberman, and Bennett to form a government relying on Arab parties would lead to their swift political demise, as the public would not forgive such a move. Member of Knesset Meirav Ben Ari declared, "The people have spoken. There is no majority for the 'massacre coalition.'"

Former Member of Knesset Benny Gantz called for a cross-bloc initiative, stating that the Israeli public voted for change, but it must be the "right change." He urged all leaders of Zionist and state-oriented parties to immediately enter negotiations to form a "Zionist unity government that crosses blocs" and avoid further elections, calling it the "only correct solution."