Israeli Elections
In a meeting with Druze leaders, ex-IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz vowed to do “all he could” to change the controversial nation-state law so that it would reflect “the indelible bond between us, not just in the battlefield but also in everyday life.”
Some rough behavior occurred at the conference of the Labor Party central committee on Jan. 10, attended by 2,500, including reports of physical violence.
At national Likud event, party ministers blast other factions • Nearly 70 percent of attendees say that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu does not have to resign if he is indicted.
New Right leader Naftali Bennett says that for the first time in years, voters might switch from left to right, with New Right taking half of former IDF Chief Benny Gantz’s supporters.
The lineup is still not finalized. Likud’s Central Committee will elect those running for the district seats based on location; the other seats would be chosen by all Likud members.
By making the address, the Israeli prime minister was gambling that proactively keeping the allegations against him at the top the news will actually help him in the polls.
The sudden and surprising announcement by Naftali Bennett and Ayelet Shaked has many in the party trying to figure out their next moves.
Of the 22 parties currently running, 14 parties are currently all polling within one or two seats above or below the electoral threshold, many within a margin of error. Party leaders will be forced to make compromises and political alliances, or risk not making it through to the parliament.
In Brazil last week, journalists asked Netanyahu how he would proceed if Israel’s Attorney General announces a pre-indictment hearing. Instead of questions about governing the State of Israel and defending against serious regional threats, attention is now continually drawn towards Netanyahu’s legal battles.
She has sparked outrage by supporting Hamas and by labeling IDF soldiers “murderers” • Former Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman: “It’s good that a senior representative of the fifth column is leaving the Knesset. I wish her the best of luck in Gaza or Beirut.”
Likud 28.8, Israel Resilience 12.8, Yesh Atid 12.7, Joint List 11.7, New Right 8.8
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu slams the left and the media for “putting brute, inhumane pressure” on the attorney general to indict him at all cost, says it constitutes an attempt to “grossly intervene” in election.
