New Right-Wing Parties Vie for Disillusioned Voters Ahead of Israeli Elections

In Jerusalem's Boiler Club, a venue typically filled with nightlife crowds, a different scene unfolded as young activists gathered for the launch of the new party "Zionist Home, The Reservists," founded by Yoaz Hendel and Hili Tropper. The event featured emotional speeches, including one from Shira Shapira, who joined the party and shared her late son Enar Shapira's inspiring words to young soldiers. Tropper criticized National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir for focusing only on TikTok and announced the party's demand for the Ministry of Public Security to be led by Hendel, emphasizing governance issues.

This new party aims to capture the right-wing voters disappointed with the current coalition, particularly within the religious-national sector, where many refuse to support Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Ben-Gvir, or Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Representing liberal religious Zionism and reservists, Hendel and Tropper seek to attract these voters alongside reservists. They advocate for significant Haredi conscription legislation before joining any government. Despite skepticism, polls show the party passing the electoral threshold with four to five mandates, though this remains a marginal position. Unlike other centrist parties pushing for a broad unity government, Hendel and Tropper propose a Zionist government potentially led by Gadi Eizenkot, not Netanyahu.

Meanwhile, former Likud members Gilad Erdan and Yuli Edelstein have launched another small right-wing party, insisting on running independently with principles including equal burden sharing, a broad government excluding extremes, and no reliance on Haredi or Arab parties. They believe Netanyahu's political era is ending and see space for a right-wing platform distinct from Tropper and Benny Gantz, who are not considered right-wing.

In the centrist camp, Blue and White leader Benny Gantz is negotiating a merger with Dedi Simchi, but leadership disputes and low poll numbers hinder progress. Simchi seeks a broader coalition to ensure electoral success, while some Blue and White MKs remain uncertain about continuing with Gantz if chances of crossing the threshold diminish. A potential alliance with Eizenkot’s "Yashar" party is rumored but may clash with Gantz’s ego.

Another potential player is Ofer Winter, who has yet to announce a run but is holding meetings and signaling a new party aimed at reclaiming disillusioned Netanyahu bloc voters. Winter argues that only new political figures can revitalize the system, distancing himself from Smotrich and Ben-Gvir. While Winter has ties to Naftali Bennett and Avigdor Lieberman, his support base mainly consists of Netanyahu bloc voters. The opposition hopes Winter’s entry will weaken Smotrich’s party.

Prime Minister Netanyahu is concerned about the proliferation of small parties in his bloc but plans to consolidate support through reserved slots in Likud, attempting to recruit figures like Ron Dermer and Gabi Ashkenazi, who have so far declined. With one month remaining before the candidate list deadline, Netanyahu is expected to focus on bloc arrangements after the Likud primaries.