CoalitionLiberman says Eisenkot is "Gantz 2" and will end up with Netanyahu
Avigdor Liberman said on Friday that Gadi Eisenkot wants to beat Likud in seats so he can negotiate a government with Netanyahu from strength. He also said Eisenkot is taking votes from inside the change bloc, against what the leaders agreed on 26 September. Liberman repeated that Yisrael Beiteinu will not join any government that relies on Arab parties. Eisenkot did not name Liberman. He told voters to ignore the spin and aim for more than 61 Zionist seats. Benny Gantz also replied, saying Liberman is under pressure and that only a cross-bloc unity government can work.
PollsMaariv poll: Yashar 21, Likud 18, the two main blocs level at 51
A Maariv poll by Lazar Research, run 14 and 15 October, gives Yashar 21 seats and Likud 18, down two. Beyachad has 13, the Democrats 9, and Yisrael Beiteinu, Otzma Yehudit, the Joint List and United Torah Judaism 8 each. Amcha Yisrael and the Reservists-Economic Party each get 4. The coalition bloc, counted with Winter's party, and the Zionist opposition both have 51, and the Arab parties have a record-high 14. Blue and White is at 1.1%, below the threshold. Walla puts the Eisenkot lead over Netanyahu as preferred prime minister at 48% to 41%. One other outlet printed slightly different seat counts for the same poll, so the figures here follow Walla, Srugim and ICE, which agree.
DealsSurplus-vote deadline passes: Winter, Hendel and Ben-Gvir end without a deal
Ynet reports that the Central Elections Committee asked for surplus-vote agreements by noon on Friday. Signed pairs are Beyachad with Yisrael Beiteinu, Yashar with the Democrats, the Joint List with Ra'am, and Shas with United Torah Judaism. Likud and Religious Zionism signed earlier this month. Amcha Yisrael under Ofer Winter, the Reservists-Economic Party and Otzma Yehudit have no deal. Hendel's party says it would sign only if Winter commits to a Zionist-only government. Winter's party denies any approach was made.
CoalitionChange-bloc teams meet to set first steps if they win a majority
According to Ynet, work teams from the Democrats, Yisrael Beiteinu, Beyachad and Yashar met on Thursday to plan the first days of a government. The draft starts with repealing laws passed by the outgoing Knesset, including the judicial selection committee law. Three priorities for the first cabinet meeting are a state commission of inquiry, sanctions on Haredi men who do not enlist, and a bill limiting a prime minister's term. The parties disagree on whether the Defendant Law belongs in the first batch.