Nonprofit Surge and 30 Percent Undecided Voters Cloud Netanyahu Path

Nearly one-third of Israeli voters remained undecided in a survey published days before the October 27 election, according to a report. The data arrived as members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party split over their chances of winning the vote scheduled for Tuesday.

A Likud source described a deep internal divide regarding the party's prospects. Some members expressed confidence in victory, while others worried that a surge in turnout among opponents would shift the balance. The source attributed the optimistic camp’s certainty to Shlomo Filber, who manages the party’s internal polling. "Either Momo comes out a king, or Momo goes home. It's one or the other," the source said, referring to Filber by his nickname.

Party officials pointed to a widespread effort by organizations and nonprofits to mobilize voters for the rival camp. These groups reportedly directed large sums of money into social media campaigns, field events, signage, and transportation for Arab voters. The activity also included initiatives to bring Israelis living abroad home to cast ballots. One Likud source called the effort "the nonprofits affair on steroids," arguing that these groups provided a support network that operated outside standard party financing rules.

Likud also criticized the Central Elections Committee for focusing on campaign video limits and public resource use while overlooking the nonprofits' activities. Although party sources claimed the funding amounts and the illegality of the operations, they did not provide documentation for those assertions.

In preparation for Election Day, Likud is organizing a large ground operation to prevent right-wing votes from drifting to smaller slates. The party is operating under restrictions that limit information gathered from polling stations. Officials also failed in attempts to convince Brig.-Gen. (res.) Ofer Winter to withdraw from the race. Winter, a former commander of the Givati Brigade, leads the People of Israel party. Talks involving Rabbi Eli Sadan did not change Winter’s decision, and Sadan later issued a statement supporting the general.

The party is courting backers of other right-wing lists, including the joint ticket of Yoaz Hendel and Yaron Zelekha. During talks with Rabbi Abergel’s Ahi party, which has already withdrawn from the race, the possibility of legislation allowing the party to name a deputy minister was raised. The October 27 date allows Netanyahu’s government to complete its full term.