The message in Likud to the Netanyahu bloc parties that don't pass: "Lay down the keys"

A senior Likud source clarifies that the goal is to reduce the number of right-wing lists and work toward mergers ahead of the list closure, not to promote the establishment of an additional fourth party. Likud aims for three right-wing parties and fears wasted votes. The message to parties that do not pass the electoral threshold: "Lay down the keys, go home."

A senior Likud source clarifies that the main goal now is to reduce the number of right-wing lists and work toward mergers, not to establish an additional fourth party. According to him, "There should be only three right-wing parties." Likud intends to act if the multitude of lists endangers the bloc's mandates: "We will do and act with all our might so that no votes go to waste." However, the position does not completely rule out a fourth party. Likud would be happy to see a "soft right" framework that could attract voters from the center and be committed to joining a government led by Likud. For now, no player meeting both conditions has been identified. The entry of Ofer Winter into the race is being examined: in some polls he approaches the electoral threshold, but his main strength comes from existing bloc parties. Likud is considering a possible merger between Winter and Smotrich. Likud's preferred scenario begins with the withdrawal of lists that have no real chance of passing the electoral threshold. The message: "Whoever has no value at all and sees they won't pass the electoral threshold - lay down the keys, go home." Lists remaining near the electoral threshold will be required to merge.