Four Parties Vie for Israel’s Third Bloc to Capture Disillusioned Right-Wing Votes

Ahead of the upcoming Israeli elections, four political parties collectively known as the "third bloc" are competing to surpass the electoral threshold and enter the Knesset. These parties aim to attract right-wing and center-right voters dissatisfied with the current government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Recent polls estimate the bloc could secure between six and ten seats, but only one party currently consistently passes the threshold.

Blue and White, led by former IDF Chief of Staff and Defense Minister Benny Gantz, has seen fluctuating support since its 2019 inception. After initially joining the government war cabinet, the party’s popularity declined following its exit from the coalition, with several members defecting. Gantz has pledged to push for a broad Zionist unity government excluding extremists and refuses to support Netanyahu or the opposition bloc, nor to join a government with Ra’am, Hadash, Ta’al, Itamar Ben-Gvir, or Otzma Yehudit. Talks are underway for a potential alliance with former Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, who has not yet confirmed her political return.

Another contender, the Zionist Home for Reservists party, formed by former ministers Hili Tropper and Yoaz Hendel, targets right-center voters, religious Zionists, and reservists. Officially entering politics last month, the party currently polls around four seats and demands the next government exclude Netanyahu and those involved in the October 7 leadership. It also insists on passing a draft law and rules out coalition with ultra-Orthodox parties. Unlike Blue and White, it is open to supporting the candidate who wins the most Zionist party votes for prime minister.

Former Likud ministers Gilad Erdan and Yuli Edelstein recently announced a new party aiming to force a unity government that will pass a draft law. Erdan left Likud citing lack of influence and rejected a reserved spot offer. Likud has criticized them as "bitter fake right-wingers" trying to split votes to enable a left-wing government. Edelstein indicated their party might recommend Benny Gantz for prime minister but emphasized support only for a broad Zionist government.

Lastly, MK Sharren Haskel, formerly of New Hope and Likud, launched Israel First after leaving the government over opposition to draft exemption policies. She calls for full equality in military service and zero coalition funds perpetuating draft evasion. Haskel seeks to unite figures like Edelstein and Dan Illouz to enforce a broad Zionist government and draft law. She states that all partners must commit to a genuine draft law to join.

These parties differ on coalition preferences and leadership endorsements but share a goal of appealing to right-wing voters disillusioned with Netanyahu’s government and the opposition, aiming to shape the next government’s composition and policies.