At the last moment: Eisenkot launches the largest party campaign | First publication

The Yashar party, led by Gadi Eisenkot, is changing its strategy two weeks and one day before the elections and announcing a new campaign aimed at becoming the largest party, even at the expense of other parties in the change bloc. Senior official Shaul Meridor explained that the move is intended to ensure that Eisenkot receives the mandate to form the government before Benjamin Netanyahu, and that data shows this may attract Likud voters.

The Yashar party, led by Gadi Eisenkot, is changing its strategy two weeks and one day before the 2026 elections. The decision made is that they must be the largest party, and by a wide margin, as reported last night on 'The Main Edition'. This means a new campaign aimed at growing even at the expense of the other parties in the change bloc. Senior official Shaul Meridor explained at a conference that the step is intended to ensure that Eisenkot receives the mandate to form the government before the incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. According to him, if Netanyahu receives the mandate first, the Knesset Speaker will not be replaced and the Knesset will remain under the control of the current government. Meridor claimed that data held by the party shows that a scenario where Yashar is the largest party may attract Likud voters. He cited Likudniks he knows who, according to him, would switch if they see a large gap from Likud. About two weeks ago, the heads of the change bloc met but did not reach an agreement on the figure to lead the bloc. One of the obstacles was the difference in strategies: Avigdor Lieberman advocated a bloc strategy, while Eisenkot believed that the largest party should form the government. The Yashar party requested not to comment on the matter.