With five days until elections, Netanyahu shifts strategies to courting right-wing votes - analysis
The assessment is that Netanyahu's primary concern is remaining prime minister, even if it means parting ways with existing political partners like Itamar Ben-Gvir.
In the final days before elections, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is altering his campaign approach to focus on securing the support of right-wing voters who typically stand behind smaller parties. The main goal remains ensuring his political party, Likud, maintains a strong presence in the Knesset, even if it means parting ways with existing partners.
After being unable to convince prominent figures Ofer Winter and Moti Leitner to step down from the race, Likud is now seeking to sway their supporters to join parties within the right-wing coalition.
Netanyahu's strategy hinges on maximizing votes within his own bloc, rather than trying to draw in voters from the party seeking to replace him. Consequently, the campaign targets right-wing voters who might otherwise support smaller parties but instead opt to vote for Likud, the Religious Zionist Party, or Otzma Yehudit. Netanyahu and RZP chairman Bezalel Smotrich have ramped up their criticism of Winter and Leitner, accusing them of being irresponsible and potentially undermining the right-wing bloc's chances of securing a majority in the Knesset.
Their messaging also warns against a historical pattern, reminiscent of the 1992 elections when a fragmented right-wing vote led to the loss of power.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
