Israeli Elections
What we know so far about what the major parties intend to do in the week leading up to the election and on Election Day itself to make sure they squeeze out every possible vote.
Justice Ministry: Balad officials perpetrated a “systematic and meticulously planned act of fraud” during the 2013 Knesset and municipal election campaigns • Balad: “Timing of the announcement” proves political persecution.
Transportation Minister Bezalel Smotrich decries “baseless hate” and says his words were taken out of context • Yisrael Beiteinu Party chief Avigdor Lieberman calls remarks “unbelievable.”
Likud’s top 40 candidates for Sept. 17 election sign declaration backing party leader Benjamin Netanyahu as their candidate for prime minister, while pointing out that leaders of parties not chosen by the people via primaries “are the last ones who should be criticizing Likud.”
Meanwhile, the Israeli prime minister is planning to travel to Kiev, where he is expected to meet with the country’s first Jewish president, Volodymyr Zelensky.
After Yisrael Beiteinu Party leader Avigdor Lieberman suggested that Benjamin Netanyahu be removed as head of the Likud should he fail to form a coalition, party members drew up a pledge of support for Likud Knesset members and candidates to sign.
The deadline for political parties to submit their official lists came and went. While the two largest ones from the previous election—Likud, and Blue and White—largely remain the same, several mergers of smaller parties could factor into the Sept. 17 elections.
Labor Party central committee approves merger with the Gesher Party, putting to rest left-wing hopes that the new Democractic Camp would join forces with it. Parties have until 10 p.m. to ink a deal.
New Right Party chair Ayelet Shaked joins with another party to broaden the political home for a range of views that lean their way. It also boosts her chances of re-entering the Knesset.
Citing a sense of “national responsibility,” URWP leader Rafi Peretz cedes top spot to Shaked • Moshe Feiglin announces that his Zehut Party will not join alliance, says “ask Shaked” why.
Hadash, the Islamic Movement’s UAL and Ahmad Tibi’s Ta’al Party announce they will run on a united list; Hadash leader Ayman Odeh says Balad will join in the coming days.
The new mega-party of former premier Ehud Barak, Meretz and Labor Party defectors look to “set Israel back on correct path.”
