Netanyahu Pushes to Unite Right-Wing Bloc Amid Election Campaign Challenges

Since the Likud primaries concluded, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has intensified his election campaign efforts, aiming to consolidate the right-wing bloc amid internal divisions. Despite some online content targeting former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot, the Likud has yet to finalize its campaign strategy. Behind the scenes, Netanyahu is working to bring order to the fragmented bloc, viewing this as his most critical challenge.

Netanyahu's team has been in close contact with former Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon, who voted in the Likud primaries. Kahlon was offered a reserved spot on the Likud list during a private meeting with Justice Minister Yariv Levin, a Netanyahu ally. Although Kahlon showed little enthusiasm, he did not reject the offer outright. Likud sources believe Netanyahu wants to strengthen the economic ticket and address the cost of living, with Kahlon seen as a key figure for this purpose.

In contrast, retired Brigadier General Ofer Winter, another respected right-wing figure, rejected all offers to run on a reserved Likud spot. Winter is expected to launch a new party soon and is in advanced talks with spokesperson Yosef Hadad and bereaved mother Lali Deri about joining him. Following Winter's refusal, Netanyahu has taken a hard line against him, publicly expressing distrust and suggesting Winter might side with Avigdor Lieberman or Naftali Bennett.

Netanyahu insists the right-wing bloc should enter the elections with no more than four lists, as in 2022, to avoid wasted votes due to surplus agreements. He warned that a fifth list could cost the bloc half a seat and that running six lists might cause one to fall below the electoral threshold. Previously, Netanyahu forced a partnership between Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, though tensions between them have since deepened.

Currently, Netanyahu holds six reserved spots on the Likud list and plans to reserve one for Minister Avi Dichter, who failed to pass the recent primaries. Another reserved spot is intended to facilitate a renewed alliance between Ben-Gvir and Smotrich. Netanyahu is keeping the remaining slots to strengthen the list ahead of what he anticipates will be one of his toughest election campaigns. The deadline for submitting party lists is September 8, leaving limited time to resolve these challenges.