Supreme Court Justice Hanan Melcer rules political parties cannot set up monitoring systems in polling stations, ordering instead the installation of an oversight monitoring unit to ensure the integrity of the voting process.
Aryeh Deri’s political rival is said to be in negotiations to join Ashkenazi ultra-Orthodox party. Yishai says his base could boost United Torah Judaism’s Knesset presence by one seat but demands a guarantee he will be named a minister. UTJ leaders reportedly in favor of move, but want PM Netanyahu to sign off on it.
Benzi Gopstein, leader of extremist group Lehava, and Baruch Marzel, both members of the far-Right Otzma Yehudit party, were barred for inciting racism against Arabs. Supreme Court denies separate petition calling to bar Otzma Yehudit chief Itamar Ben-Gvir from running for Knesset.
Political parties alarmed by poll predicting low voter turnout on Sept. 17, outline various plans seeking to mobilizing supporters come Election Day.
Israel Hayom-i24NEWS survey finds 60% of Israelis plan to vote for the same party in September as they did in April, while 23% plan to vote differently. Poll project razor-thin victory for Likud with 32 Knesset seats, predicts Blue and White will win 31 seats.
Dismissing criticism as "laughable," Yisrael Beytenu chief says vote-sharing deal preferable to Netanyahu's "surrender" to Hamas in Gaza. Meanwhile, Amir Peretz's interview with Israel Hayom raises concerns among Labor party activists.
In an effort to see no vote go to waste, Likud and Yamina sign surplus vote-sharing agreement, as do the Democratic Union and Labor. Blue and White, Yisrael Beytenu reach a similar deal. Parties must inform the Central Election Committee of such deals by Sept. 6.
Prime minister attacks Yisrael Beytenu after party agrees to share surplus vote with center-left alliance Blue and White. "Those who want [Blue and White leaders] Benny Gantz and Yair Lapid as prime minister should vote Lieberman, who has joined the Left," Netanyahu says.
Labor Leader Amir Peretz is trying to breathe new life into the battered party. In a special interview with Israel Hayom, he defends the decision to join forces with the Gesher party, levels harsh criticism at Blue and White, and appeals to frustrated Labor supporters to come back to their political home. Setting his sights on 15 seats come September's election, Peretz insists this goal is feasible.
President Reuven Rivlin expected to tell winner of Sept. 17 election that if a new government is not sworn in within 28 days, he would not get an extension and another MK would be tasked with the job. Measure aimed at ensuring all options are exhausted before calling an early election.
