Netanyahu Admits Losing 10 Knesset Seats, Faces Challenges Ahead of Elections

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently confided in private discussions that his Likud party has lost about ten Knesset seats, and he is uncertain how to regain them. According to a report by Kan News on Wednesday, Netanyahu is struggling to formulate an effective campaign strategy and fears that without change, Likud could lose the upcoming elections. He also expressed skepticism about favorable polls, believing the actual situation is worse than reflected.

The Likud campaign has been put on the defensive following the launch of a new party by retired Brigadier General Ofer Winter, which, according to a recent Kan News poll, is projected to win five seats. This development threatens the Religious Zionist Party led by Bezalel Smotrich, which risks falling below the electoral threshold, a major concern for Netanyahu. Currently, Netanyahu's approach is to support Smotrich by promoting unity and attempting to pressure Winter. However, he acknowledges that if the situation remains unchanged, pressure may shift toward Smotrich as the deadline for finalizing party lists approaches in less than two weeks.

Netanyahu is preparing for this possibility by considering reserved spots on Likud's list and managing relations with Itamar Ben-Gvir's Otzma Yehudit party. The political landscape remains fluid as other alliances and complaints, such as those involving Gamliel and Katz, continue to develop ahead of the elections.