Likud party targets Yashar deputies to weaken opposition

The Likud party, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, has reportedly formed a specialized team to recruit deputies from Gadi Aizenkot’s Yashar party following elections. The strategy aims to weaken the opposition by identifying candidates—particularly those with right-wing or religious affiliations—who may be susceptible to shifting allegiances due to internal disagreements on security and foreign policy.

In response to these maneuvers, Gadi Aizenkot has called for integrity among his colleagues and introduced a non-binding ethical code requesting that any deputy considering leaving the party should return their mandate. This political maneuvering occurs within a highly fragmented Israeli parliamentary landscape, where coalition building remains a complex challenge following recent elections.