Knesset Elections: Israeli Parties Face Intense Merger Pressure 72 Hours Before Deadline

With just over 72 hours remaining until the final deadline to submit party lists for the 26th Knesset elections on October 27, intense political maneuvering is underway. Following the 2022 elections, where 417,000 votes (about 9% of valid ballots) were wasted on parties failing to pass the 3.25% electoral threshold, candidates are facing heavy pressure to merge or withdraw.

Right-Wing Consolidation Efforts

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is determined to ensure no right-wing votes are lost. While Bezalel Smotrich (Religious Zionism) has already merged with Moshe Feiglin (Zehut), Netanyahu is pushing for a three-way alliance including retired Brig. Gen. Ofer Winter of "Amcha Yisrael."

Winter has repeatedly rejected merger offers and refused guaranteed spots on the Likud list, arguing that only a completely fresh slate untainted by the failures of October 7, 2023, can offer real change. Current polls show both the Smotrich-Feiglin alliance and Winter's party crossing the threshold with 4 to 6 seats each.

Meanwhile, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir (Otzma Yehudit) has ruled out any mergers, opting to run independently. However, he resolved one headache for Netanyahu by placing MK Tally Gotliv second on his list and hinting at potentially adding May Golan.

Opposition Alliances and "Surprises"

On the center-left, former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the "Yashar!" party, promised political developments before Tuesday's 22:00 deadline.

Speaking to journalist Yossi Yehoshua, Gadi Eisenkot stated:

"I am talking to everyone. We are preparing surprises for the next three to four days. I am convinced this will happen for the benefit of the State of Israel."

Speculation persists regarding a potential alliance between Eisenkot and Naftali Bennett. Concurrently, Yair Lapid is restructuring "Yesh Atid," which is running on Bennett's joint slate. Several veteran MKs have stepped aside to make room for younger members, including Merav Ben-Ari, Naor Shiri, Meirav Cohen, and Vladimir Beliak.

Candidates Below the Threshold

Several prominent politicians remain in the danger zone. Former minister Chili Trooper ("Beit Zioni"), who recently joined forces with Yoaz Hendel, is polling between 1.1% and 3%, failing to clear the 3.25% barrier.

Pressure is also mounting on Benny Gantz ("Blue and White"), who is polling at a mere 0.4% to 1.8% following a wave of departures from his party. Despite calls to withdraw, Gantz insists he will run. Conversely, former UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan announced that his "HaAhdut" party would withdraw from the race to prevent wasting votes.

In the Arab sector, Balad, Hadash, and Ta'al have agreed to run on a single joint slate. Mansour Abbas's Ra'am party will run independently, making a historic move by adding a Jewish candidate, former Deputy Public Security Minister Yoav Segalovich, to its list.