רגע לפני הקלפי: מה מנהלי הקמפיינים לא מספרים לכם?

As Israelis head to the polls, campaign managers for various parties are revealing their strategies and the messages they've been trying to convey to voters. Benjamin Netanyahu employed his signature "Gevald" campaign, warning of a looming threat to the right-wing bloc and a potential defeat against Iran. He also unexpectedly focused on the contentious issue of ultra-Orthodox conscription, a topic that had previously strained his relations with some right-wing voters. Netanyahu also increased his media presence, actively engaging in interviews and debates.

Naftali Bennett, aiming to distance himself from his previous government's coalition with the Islamist Ra'am party, shed his suit for a more approachable image, engaging in direct citizen encounters. However, he faces the challenge of reassuring right-wing voters while appealing to centrist voters seeking an alternative to Netanyahu.

Itamar Ben-Gvir's campaign centered on proving his indispensability to Netanyahu, highlighting his legislative achievements like expanded gun permits and stricter prison conditions for terrorists. He accused the Likud of attempting to siphon votes and claimed Netanyahu's office had made commitments to European countries against his inclusion in the next government, which the Likud denied.

Ofer Winter, a former military commander, struggled to articulate a clear political message, oscillating between potential cooperation with Gadi Eisenkot and support for Netanyahu. His campaign also faced questions regarding his perceived ties to Avigdor Lieberman, and he missed opportunities to clarify his ideological stance and engage effectively on social media.

Bezalel Smotrich attempted to broaden his party's appeal beyond its traditional religious and conservative base, incorporating images of women with partial head coverings in campaign materials. He also emphasized his accomplishments in Judea and Samaria, focusing on settlement approvals and infrastructure development.

Moshe Feiglin leveraged social media to reach younger voters but found himself repeatedly explaining his controversial statements, particularly his initial opposition to the disqualification of Sami Abu Shehadeh from running for the Knesset. His campaign struggled to translate attention-grabbing ideas into concrete political proposals.

Shas focused on appealing to traditional voters by emphasizing shared values like family, tradition, and Jewish identity, alongside military service. They aimed to connect with those who revere Rabbi Ovadia Yosef but may not adhere to a strictly Haredi lifestyle, while still facing the question of whether tradition alone can bridge the gap with the party's stances.

Yair Golan revived the discourse on peace and Rabin's legacy, positioning himself as a proponent of a distinct left-wing ideology, contrasting with Ben-Gvir's role in safeguarding the right-wing agenda. Gadi Eisenkot aimed to unite the center-right bloc behind him as the largest party capable of leading, but found himself in competition with Bennett for leadership.

Avigdor Lieberman made ultra-Orthodox conscription a central theme, demanding equality in military service and criticizing parties that he claims benefit from exemptions. He also attacked Eisenkot's campaign, accusing him of harming the bloc's unity.