Will the 2026 elections not be decided? Netanyahu already has a secret weapon for 2027

With the closing of the Knesset lists, a split in the right-wing camp presents Netanyahu with an organizational challenge. The article claims the split is technical and not ideological, and that in a second round of elections Netanyahu will be able to force unity through guilt, existential fear, and political currency. Meanwhile, the opposition may fall apart after failure.

With the closing of the lists for the 26th Knesset, the picture that emerged is not good for the right: 'Otzma Yehudit' submitted an independent list, the Religious Zionism party tried to add Ofer Winter and failed, and Bezalel Smotrich attacked him harshly. The article claims the split is technical and not ideological — Ben Gvir, Smotrich, and Winter disagree on positions and seniority, not on who should be prime minister. According to the article, Netanyahu has proven experience in uniting right-wing parties from previous rounds (2019, 2021, 2022). In a second round, he will have three levers: guilt (if the right misses out on power), existential fear (a party falling below the electoral threshold), and political currency (the only one who can guarantee portfolios). Meanwhile, the opposition relies on motivation that fades after failure. However, the article notes risks: the Haredi crisis over the draft law, the cost of forced unity, and the possibility that the opposition will also unite.