מחיר התמיכה בנתניהו? החשש של ברל'ה קרומבי: טראמפ יתערב בהרכבת הממשלה

Baruch "Baraleh" Krumby, strategist and chairman of the Tkuma movement, warned in an interview with Channel 7 that the right-wing bloc could lose votes and face American pressure to form a unity government after the elections. He dismissed claims of improper pressure on candidates from Ofir Winter's party and criticized Gadi Eisenkot, suggesting that too strong a showing by Itamar Ben-Gvir could be detrimental.

Krumby stated that the main danger to the right is not just losing votes to parties that won't pass the electoral threshold, but also the possibility of pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to form a unity government with Gadi Eisenkot, excluding some of his current partners. He addressed allegations of undue pressure on Winter's party candidates, citing Dudi Ben Zion's withdrawal to prevent vote loss as a legitimate act. Krumby contrasted this with past silence from the same individuals regarding harassment of right-wing public figures.

He also discussed the controversy surrounding a video against bereaved mother Lali Darai, who is running on Winter's list. Krumby claimed the activist who posted the video removed it and that there was no intent to harm the family, suggesting a cynical campaign to delegitimize calls for Winter's party to withdraw.

Krumby expressed concern about a potential left-wing government where Yair Golan might hold a senior position and Mansour Abbas could be a deciding factor. He argued that even a coalition including figures like Bennett and Lieberman, alongside Eisenkot's party members, could lead to a left-wing government if key figures like Golan and Abbas are central. He criticized Eisenkot, calling him a "leftist" whose public image belies his past policies, particularly regarding transfers to Gaza and border fence protests.

Regarding Ofir Winter's party, Krumby believed it had no realistic chance of passing the electoral threshold, calling it an "urban legend." He explained that new parties without a stable voter base and organized ground mechanism rarely succeed unless they start with significant polling numbers.

Krumby warned that even with a right-wing majority, a unity government including Eisenkot could sideline current partners, leading to national paralysis. He cited past unity governments as examples of ineffectiveness. He expressed concern that pressure to form such a government might come from the United States, specifically mentioning Donald Trump's circle, including Jared Kushner and Witkoff, who might push for a government without figures like Smotrich and Ben-Gvir.

He suggested that Trump's support for Netanyahu might come at the price of US pressure for a government excluding "extreme elements." Krumby emphasized Israel's sovereignty, rejecting foreign interference in its internal affairs. He welcomed Netanyahu's clarification that a unity government would be based on the current right-wing bloc, questioning the need to exclude right-wing parties to include Eisenkot.

Krumby also commented on Itamar Ben-Gvir's fears, praising his campaigning skills but suggesting that an overly strong showing for his party (14-15 mandates) could make it harder for him to be included in the government, potentially increasing pressure from Washington and the left to exclude him. He acknowledged Ben-Gvir's progress in Israeli politics and his performance as Minister of National Security.

Finally, Krumby urged right-wing parties to focus on attracting new voters rather than internal competition, hoping to avoid cannibalization within the bloc and to bring in votes from the left and center-right.