Netanyahu warns against small right-wing parties, says they could hand election to 'fascist Left'

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned voters against supporting emerging small right-wing parties, arguing that splitting the right-wing vote could hand the election to the opposition bloc, which he labeled the 'fascist Left.' His statement came as Arab-Israeli activist Yoseph Haddad registered a new party, 'Brave Israel,' and ahead of the expected launch of a party led by Brig.-Gen. (res.) Ofir Winter.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday called on voters not to support emerging small parties on the Right, warning that splitting the right-wing vote could cost his camp the election and allow the opposition bloc to form the next government. Netanyahu's statement came a day ahead of the reported launch of a new right-wing party led by Brig.-Gen. (res.) Ofir Winter, which polling suggests could take votes from parties in Netanyahu's current coalition. The prime minister's statement also came as Arab-Israeli activist Yoseph Haddad officially registered a new right-wing party under the name 'Brave Israel' on Monday. Netanyahu warned that voters choosing small right-wing parties would cause the Left to come to power, naming Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot, Democrats party leader Yair Golan, Ra'am party leader Mansour Abbas, and Yisrael Beytenu party leader Avigdor Liberman. He accused opposition party leaders of planning to 'impose a fascist regime,' claiming they would shut down the internet and Channel 14. Amid tensions over the haredi draft issue, new small right-wing parties have emerged, including Hili Tropper and Yoaz Hendel's Zionist Home-The Reservists and Gilad Erdan's Unity Party, both hovering near the electoral threshold. A Sunday KAN News poll found that a party led by Winter could cross the electoral threshold if he were to form an alliance with Haddad, winning five seats largely at the expense of Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's Religious Zionist Party.