Israeli Parties Address Economic Questionnaire as Major Factions Abstain
Ahead of the 2026 Knesset elections, major Israeli political parties respond to an economic questionnaire on the cost of living, while Likud and ultra-Orthodox factions decline to participate.
As the 2026 Knesset elections approach, economic issues such as the cost of living, taxation, and the state budget have taken center stage. Ahead of the vote, a comprehensive economic questionnaire covering 18 key topics was sent to all political parties polling above the electoral threshold. While nine parties responded, the ruling party Likud, along with Shas, United Torah Judaism, and Ra'am, chose not to participate.
The Economic Questionnaire Initiative
The initiative aimed to cut through general campaign slogans and force parties to clarify their practical positions on pressing issues like market competition, the housing crisis, and transportation bottlenecks. Parties were required to state whether they support or oppose specific policy measures and to provide a reasoned explanation. This comparative approach allows voters to evaluate opposing economic platforms directly.
Parties That Declined to Respond
Four parties, including the ruling Likud and ultra-Orthodox factions Shas and United Torah Judaism, declined to submit their answers. Critics note that the absence of formal responses leaves voters without a clear roadmap regarding how these parties intend to handle critical economic challenges if they form the next government. While these parties maintain established voting records, their refusal to detail current policy proposals contrasts with competitors who opened their platforms to public scrutiny.
