Netanyahu and Smotrich Unify the Right for Elections, Ben-Gvir Left Out

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Religious Zionist Movement leader Bezalel Smotrich are unifying the ranks of the right in joint electoral preparations, while Itamar Ben-Gvir remains outside the organizational and political calculations of this step.

According to the Hebrew newspaper "Maariv," Netanyahu and Smotrich are expected to meet two separate gatherings during which they will present a joint election plan aimed at strengthening the right-wing bloc by approximately five seats, through mobilizing around 200,000 potential right-wing voters.

However, the stated ambition hides tensions among right-wing partners, with the Otzma Yehudit party and rabbinical figures associated with its environment being excluded.

The two gatherings carry the title "Saving the Truth" and seek to involve the organizational structure and local leaderships in a "common ground" process. The first meeting focuses on mobilizing institutions, while the second seeks to link rabbis and community leaders with field efforts.

The plan, known as the "Doubling Equation," is based on four pillars: door-to-door campaigns in pre-designated areas, assisting thousands of voters who find it difficult to reach polling stations, deploying influential local figures to encourage voting, and operating a telephone system to contact those unreachable in the field.

The activity targets areas where election centers identified the possibility of increasing turnout, especially among right-wing voters who tend to abstain. Joint management for election day and coordination of messages between headquarters are planned.

Campaign planners indicate that reaching approximately 200,000 potential voters is the goal, not the number of new expected voters. The estimate of five seats relies on the assumption that there is a wide segment of right-wing voters who do not intend to vote, and that targeted efforts may push at least some of them to participate, provided their locations are identified and they are contacted.

Israel Gantz, head of the Binyamin Council and head of the Yesha Council, coordinates the plan in cooperation with the election headquarters led by Zvika Brot and Omer Rahamim. Gantz relies on his knowledge of the network of institutions, rabbis, and local leaders to link party mechanisms with field elements.

The cooperation between Netanyahu and Smotrich is based on a working relationship solidified during years of shared government service, particularly in security discussions and decisions during the war, a period described by informed sources as having strengthened trust between the two parties.

Absence of Ben-Gvir

In contrast, Ben-Gvir is absent from the conferences. While organizers deny claims of a political boycott and clarify that the plan is based on the organizational structure of Religious Zionist institutions, the absence raises questions about the extent of cooperation among the three right-wing parties in preparing for election day, according to "Maariv."

Netanyahu's office had previously denied claims of an intention to replace Ben-Gvir with partners from another bloc. Despite the tensions, the Prime Minister recently met with Smotrich and Ben-Gvir within attempts to prevent the leakage of right-wing votes.