CoalitionNetanyahu: public security and defense stay in Likud, Otzma Yehudit says Ben-Gvir is being pushed out
At a conference in Akko on Thursday, Benjamin Netanyahu said that in the next government the public security portfolio, which Itamar Ben-Gvir holds today, will stay in Likud, and so will the Defense Ministry. Otzma Yehudit answered that the remarks show a decision to remove Ben-Gvir and bring in Gadi Eisenkot. Wednesday's interview only covered the Defense Ministry. This is the first time Netanyahu has named public security too.
CoalitionBen-Gvir: only Netanyahu, no government with Eisenkot, and a new election if the bloc stops short of 61
In a Walla interview on Thursday, Ben-Gvir said he will back only Netanyahu for prime minister. He rejected a unity government with Eisenkot and called it a "paralysis government." If the right-wing bloc does not reach 61 seats, he said, the country should go back to the voters. He also repeated that he wants the Defense Ministry.
PollsTatika poll for Zman Israel: Yashar 26, Likud 20, Winter and Blue and White out
A Tatika Research poll, fielded 14 and 15 October with 500 respondents, gives Yashar 26 seats, up two from the previous edition, and Likud 20. Beyachad is at 11 and Yisrael Beiteinu at 9. The pro-Netanyahu bloc gets 49 seats, the change bloc 54, and the Arab parties 13. Ofer Winter's party is at 2.8% and Blue and White at 1.2%, both under the threshold. The Reservists and Economic Party passes it with 4. The margin of error is 4.4 points.
CampaignLikud and Religious Zionism will put about 2,000 activists in Arab polling stations
The two parties said nearly 2,000 activists will watch hundreds of polling stations in Arab communities, placed by a fraud-risk map. They will be trained to report procedure violations and counting irregularities. Zman notes there is no evidence of fraud on that scale. The report carries no response yet from the Arab parties.
CampaignEisenkot promises to end Hamas rule within 18 months
Speaking at the Gaza border, Eisenkot pledged to end Hamas rule within 18 months of taking office. Likud replied by asking how he would do that without the support of Mansour Abbas and Ahmad Tibi.
CoalitionWinter's number two rules out three possible partners
Yosef Haddad, second on Ofer Winter's list, said in a podcast interview that the party will not sit under Avigdor Liberman, will not rely on Ra'am and will not cooperate with the Democrats.
CoalitionLiberman: no support for any minority government, even a transition one
Haaretz reports that Liberman said he will not back any minority government, including one meant only to carry the country through a transition. The article is behind a paywall, so only the headline statement is confirmed here.
LogisticsVoting abroad closes, soldiers start on 20 October
The roughly 30-hour window for diplomats and their families at 101 stations abroad ended at 06:00 on Friday, with San Francisco and Los Angeles last. The ballots are flown to Israel for counting. Soldiers vote from the evening of 20 October at about 850 stations, around a quarter of them mobile, until election day.