The Central Election Committee will finalize the number of slates vying in the March 23 elections this Thursday. But there is no point in holding our breath with anticipation of any major surprise – no new political superstar is likely to make a surprise appearance.
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Yamina leader Naftali Bennett has no big names on his roster – he is focused on bringing on people with a proven track record of getting things done. New Hope leader Gideon Sa'ar is focused on appealing to Likud voters. Likud is trying to bring in Gesher leader Orly Levy-Abekasis, which is nice, but hardly exciting and it's not expected to shake up the political map.
As things stand five days before all contenders must finalize their slates, it is doubtful that bringing in anyone famous will make a difference.
This election is waged between the heads of the parties. People will vote for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid, Sa'ar, Bennett, etc. – not whoever is on their parties' lists.
Political leaders seem to have gotten the message. The public is weary of the political reality show and "superstars" no longer make a difference.
Israelis party leader Ron Huldai is a great example of this new public sentiment: The popular Tel Aviv mayor has been holding off taking the plunged into national politics for years. He chose to do so at this time thinking he would step in, unite all other center-left-wing parties under his wing and unseat Netanyahu – just like that.
The one thing he did not count on was the public pushback against his decision not to step down as mayor unless he was elected. The feeling that his presence in national politics is provisional has not gone over well with the left-wing base.
The same can be said of Telem leader Moshe Ya'alon. He had originally teamed with Lapid, but has now decided to try an independent Knesset bid – and not one poll project he will cross the electoral threshold.
Lapid, for his part, has survived the upheavals of the past year. The opposition leader has shown stability and resolve, and has invested considerable resources in groundwork, which will most likely see Yesh Atid emerge as the second-largest party in parliament.
Merez has also shown it has a political backbone. Unlike ahead of the previous elections, it is not trying to merge with anyone or edge closer to the political center. Polls show the left-leaning voters appreciate this stance.
The same voters seem to remember all the hard work now-Labor Leader Merav Michaeli has done. Her election seems to have woken up the comatose party, which is finally projected to cross the electoral threshold, even if just barely.
The Israeli public is growing up and facing the fourth elections in two years it is also tired of political uncertainty. Now, all the public wants is stability.
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