One-Third Undecided Ahead of Vote

Nearly one-third of Israeli voters remain undecided as the country prepares to head to the polls on Tuesday, October 27. This final week of the campaign has revealed deep fractures within the governing party, Likud, over the prime minister's chances of victory. Party insiders describe a mood that swings between confidence and anxiety depending on which internal data they trust.

The uncertainty stems largely from conflicting interpretations of polling conducted by Shlomo Filber, who runs Likud's internal survey operation. One party source described the division bluntly: "We have some who are very sure of themselves, and some who are less so." The same source summarized the stakes of Filber's numbers with a stark prediction: "Either Momo comes out a king, or Momo goes home. It's one or the other."

Fears are amplified by a surge in activity from nonprofit organizations that are directing large sums of money toward the rival camp. Party sources claim these groups are running a wide-ranging campaign that includes social media advertising, physical signage, and field events. They also report that the organizations are arranging rides for Arab voters and encouraging Israelis living abroad to return home to cast ballots. One Likud member labeled the effort "the nonprofits affair on steroids," arguing that these groups provide a support network that operates outside standard party financing rules.

Likud has also criticized the Central Elections Committee for its enforcement priorities. The party claims the committee focused too heavily on regulating campaign videos and public resource usage while paying insufficient attention to the nonprofit campaigns. Although sources cited specific funding amounts, they did not provide documentation to back those figures or prove the activity violated the law.

In response, Likud is organizing a major ground operation for Election Day. The goal is to prevent right-wing voters from drifting to smaller political slates. The party recently failed to convince Brig.-Gen. (res.) Ofer Winter, the former commander of the Givati Brigade and leader of the People of Israel party, to drop out of the race. Rabbi Eli Sadan supported Winter after talks with Likud broke down.

The party is also courting other right-wing backers, including the joint ticket of Yoaz Hendel and Yaron Zelekha. The Ahi party, led by Rabbi Abergel, has already withdrawn from the race following discussions with Likud. During those talks, officials considered legislation that would allow the party to name a deputy minister.

The election date was set for October 27 to allow the current government to serve out its full term. A survey published days before the vote confirmed the high number of undecided voters, leaving the final tally in question until the polls close.