The last-minute move that could decide the elections

Gadi Eisenkot launches the 'Big Party' campaign ahead of the elections on October 27, 2026. The goal: to grow at the expense of his partners and force Netanyahu to grow at the expense of the right-wing parties hovering around the electoral threshold. The article analyzes the dilemma against the lesson from 2022, the scenario where no bloc has 61 seats, and the possibility that Netanyahu continues as a transitional prime minister while the change bloc manages the Knesset.

Gadi Eisenkot has decided to launch the 'Big Party' campaign, a last-minute move that could decide the elections on October 27, 2026. The dual goal: to grow at the expense of his potential partners (Bennett, Lieberman, Golan) and force Benjamin Netanyahu to grow at the expense of the right-wing parties hovering around the electoral threshold (Winter, Zalicha, Handel and others). The article analyzes Eisenkot's dilemma against the lesson from 2022, when a similar campaign by Yair Lapid led to the loss of 7 seats below the electoral threshold. Shaul Meridor argued that a big party would attract Likudniks and help control 'the day after'. Also examined is the rare scenario where no bloc has 61 seats: Netanyahu would continue as a transitional prime minister, but the change bloc could manage the Knesset, elect a speaker, and advance legislation (conscription, October 7 commission of inquiry, term limits) even before forming a government. Benny Gantz, who is still burning votes for the change camp, will need to make a decision soon. The article emphasizes that if there is no clear decision, Israel could enter three months of political uncertainty.