קמפיין הגעוואלד התחיל: ההפחדות, המתקפות בגושים והמסרים לפני הבחירות

As the election approaches, parties are intensifying their efforts to mobilize voters, sometimes at the expense of their bloc partners. Campaign messages focus on fear-mongering, warnings against voting for other parties, and emphasizing why their party deserves the vote.

Gadi Eisenkot's "Yash!" party is promoting two main messages: first, that the elections are very close to encourage turnout, and second, that his party must be the largest to receive the first mandate to form a government. He quotes Prime Minister Netanyahu, stating that a larger "Yash!" would receive the mandate. Eisenkot's goal is to secure the first mandate, enabling him to form a minority government even without 61 seats.

The Likud party's campaign will peak on election day, focusing on negative videos with messages like "Right or Palestine." They are highlighting leaders of the change bloc alongside Abbas and Joint List members, believing this is effective for their right-wing audience. Netanyahu is expected to release numerous videos warning of the consequences if the right-wing loses. The Likud also claims Yoaz Hendel and Yaron Zelekha are wasting right-wing votes, with similar messages targeting Winter's voters.

"Achadut" is focusing on social media and direct encounters, particularly with self-identified Likud voters. They are concerned that Eisenkot's campaign for a large "Yash!" might shrink other bloc parties, including their own. They are clarifying that the largest party's size is not decisive, citing past examples like Tzipi Livni, who did not form a government despite winning more mandates.

The Joint List is concentrating on mobilizing Arab voters, aiming to expand their base and reach those who feel unrepresented or have lost faith in politics. The Democrats, led by Yair Golan, are targeting change bloc voters, assuring them that only the Democrats will not sit with Netanyahu and that other bloc parties might shift allegiances.

Avigdor Lieberman's Yisrael Beiteinu is focusing on the Netanyahu bloc, particularly on the draft exemption law and yeshiva budgets. Lieberman counters Netanyahu's claims of a change bloc government with Arab parties by arguing Netanyahu will not form a "Zionist government" but a "government of death and no conscription."

Shas and United Torah Judaism are concerned about new lists, "HaChareidi VeHaChashochor," which may not pass the electoral threshold but could draw votes. They are also worried about votes shifting to Ben-Gvir and Smotrich, making attacks on them central to their recent campaigns.

Otzma Yehudit, led by Ben-Gvir, aims to take mandates from other right-wing parties, especially the Likud. Ben-Gvir's campaign, "Netanyahu will not bring Otzma Yehudit into the government," targets Likud members, particularly youth, arguing a larger Otzma Yehudit cannot be ignored. He is also trying to attract voters from Feiglin's base.

Bezalel Smotrich of the Religious Zionism party is pressuring Ofer Winter, accusing him of boycotting him and refusing to meet. Smotrich offered Winter a ministerial position in exchange for withdrawing from the race, knowing Winter would refuse, to highlight Winter's stubbornness.

Ra'am, led by Mansour Abbas, is intensifying its field campaign, especially in the Negev's Bedouin communities, to increase its Knesset power. They aim to persuade voters that voting for Ra'am can influence government composition and address their personal issues.

"HaMekalkalim," led by Yoaz Hendel and Yaron Zelekha, believes they benefited from Benny Gantz's withdrawal, attracting voters from the Blue and White party who don't want to align with either bloc. They are focusing on economic debates between Netanyahu and Zelekha, planning videos of Netanyahu praising Zelekha in the past. Their limited budget is reserved for billboards in the final campaign week.

Ofer Winter's "Am Israel" is facing pressure from Netanyahu and the right-wing bloc to withdraw or lose votes. Winter refuses to leave, using the attacks for a victimhood campaign and appealing to Russian speakers, with activist Yosef Haddad gaining popularity in that demographic. "Am Israel" estimates they could gain one to two mandates from Lieberman, which could be decisive given their struggle to pass the electoral threshold.