The Ethnic Demon Is Out of the Bottle, and Likud Fears an Upset

Daphna Liel's analysis compares the upcoming elections to those of 2006, when Amir Peretz attracted Likud voters and the party collapsed. Today, Gadi Eisenkot, thanks to his Mizrahi background, poses a similar threat to Likud. Meanwhile, Gilad Erdan has announced his candidacy, aiming to attract Likud voters disappointed with Netanyahu. Likud fears losing seats and is trying to change tactics, including focusing on Yair Golan.

Daphna Liel's analysis in N12 magazine compares the upcoming elections to those of 2006, when Amir Peretz, chairman of the Labor Party, garnered 19 seats and managed to attract Likud voters from the periphery and lower income deciles. Likud then collapsed from 38 to 12 seats. The lesson etched into Likud: a candidate who breaks the traditional right-left divide poses a serious threat. Today, Gadi Eisenkot, thanks to his background as a son of a Moroccan family, a Golani fighter, and a former Chief of Staff, poses a similar threat. Likud fears he will attract voters, so they are trying to change tactics and focus on Yair Golan. Meanwhile, Gilad Erdan has announced his candidacy, aiming to attract Likud voters disappointed with Netanyahu, and perhaps even become the kingmaker. Likud sees Erdan as a proxy for Lieberman and fears losing seats.