Netanyahu fears the strengthening of another politician – assessment

Two weeks before Israel's elections, Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud is preparing a campaign against Itamar Ben-Gvir, leader of the Otzma Yehudit party, fearing his rise to 12–15 seats. Likud hopes to cut the party's representation to 7–8 seats, acting cautiously so as not to push away right-wing voters. The campaign is also aimed at the parties of Ofer Winter, Yoaz Hendel and Yaron Zelikha.

Two weeks before Israel's parliamentary elections, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is intensifying the fight for right-wing voters. Alongside countering small parties, Likud intends to limit the growing popularity of Itamar Ben-Gvir, leader of the Otzma Yehudit party. According to Likud's internal polls, potential support for Ben-Gvir's party could reach 12–15 seats, which worries Netanyahu's circle, since the strengthening of an ally could change the balance of power within the right-wing camp. Likud hopes to win back some voters and cut the party's representation to 7–8 seats. The campaign against Ben-Gvir will be limited so as not to push away right-wing voters. Competition for votes is also intensifying between Ben-Gvir and the Shas party, which records a shift of some supporters to Otzma Yehudit. Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef has spoken out critically of Ben-Gvir. An additional source of tension was the surplus-vote agreement between Likud and the religious Zionists without Ben-Gvir's participation. Another target of the campaign is the parties of Ofer Winter, Yoaz Hendel and Yaron Zelikha, which could draw about three seats away from the right-wing bloc. According to an internal study, about three quarters of young voters support Likud, the religious Zionists and Otzma Yehudit, and Likud can count on 31 seats.