Israeli Elections
Channel 12 predicts 30 seats for Likud, 18 for Israel Resilience, 12 for Yesh Atid • Labor gains after primaries, jumps to 10 seats • Seven seats projected for New Right and Ta’al Arab Party • Habayit Hayehudi-National Union hover at minimum threshold.
Histadrut labor federation chairman Avi Nissankoren joins Israel Resilience Party list • In an apparent effort to save face should talks on merger fail, Yesh Atid says “clarifications” are needed from Israel Resilience on party’s policies on core issues.
When asked who they thought was the best candidate to serve as prime minister, 46 percent of respondents picked Benjamin Netanyahu, compared to 36 percent who said Benny Gantz.
It could mean salvation for both parties, which are making poor showings in polls • Meretz leader Tamar Zandberg may step down to let a Labor MK or an outside candidate head joint list • Talks to kick into high gear after the Meretz Party primaries.
The announcement does not obligate Shas to appoint any female candidates to its electoral lists, but will open the door to the possibility.
With party polling at a historic low, 44 candidates are vying for the chance to make it to the Knesset by winning a spot high on the list.
Israel Hayom obtains internal Yesh Atid poll that sounded out members about a possible joint run with Kulanu • Israel Resilience denies partner Moshe Ya’alon “shopped around” for parties before joining Benny Gantz • Kulanu: “We are running on our own.”
New poll shows that a Yesh Atid-Israel Resilience Party joint ticket would win 35 seats, giving the center-left a real shot at forming a government • Seven right-wing parties may not win enough votes to enter Knesset unless they unite.
Gabi Ashkenazi tells activists demonstrating outside his home that he agrees that the center-left must unite and will make a decision about entering politics in a few days.
Gideon Sa’ar finishes third, despite the reported campaign against him • Israel Katz first on the party ticket, followed by Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein • Controversial MK Oren Hazan booted by voters; former Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat finishes sixth.
Meretz Party leader Tamar Zandberg: “I call on Labor members to join Meretz” • Labor party is imploding because for generations, its leaders have always broken right, she says.
Each eligible voter is entitled to choose 12 representatives.
