Likud and Religious Zionism Surplus Agreement Remains Unsigned
A week after Likud and Religious Zionism agreed on a surplus-vote pact, the agreement remains unsigned, sparking speculation over potential political maneuvering by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
A week after Likud and Religious Zionism agreed to sign a surplus-vote agreement, the pact has still not been officially signed. Both parties insist the delay is purely technical, though political insiders speculate it may be intentional to preserve maneuvering room for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding Ofer Winter's party.
On the day candidate lists were submitted to the Central Election Committee, Channel 14 revealed that contrary to early assessments—which suggested Likud would sign with Winter's "Amcha Yisrael" and Religious Zionism with Otzma Yehudit—an agreement was ultimately reached between Likud and Religious Zionism.
This backdrop included Likud's intention to campaign against Winter, aiming to weaken his party below the electoral threshold or force its withdrawal. This move effectively left both Winter's faction and Otzma Yehudit without a signed surplus agreement.
As Itamar Ben Gvir weighs whether to sign a surplus agreement with Winter, the delay between Likud and Religious Zionism raises questions. Analysts suggest Netanyahu prefers keeping options open regarding Winter until polling data clarifies closer to the election.
Both Likud and Religious Zionism reject this interpretation, maintaining that the agreement is a settled matter and that the formal signing is a routine technicality.
