Opinion polls published in the past two days have shown significant gains by the Israeli generals' party, headed by former chiefs of staff Generals Benny Gantz and Moshe Yaalon.
When the public was asked about the most suitable candidate for the premiership, Gantz and Netanyahu received 42 percent each, a first since Netanyahu took office in 2009.
Various polls have been conducted on all TV channels, following Gantz’ appearance on Tuesday for the first time since his announcement that he would run in the April 9 general election.
Although Gantz did not make clear political stances, and his speech included several contradictory statements, polls indicated that the Israelis are trusting this party and gradually give up on Netanyahu.
Gantz emphasized his security credentials and warned Israel’s enemies not to test him while indicating he would be willing to forge peace with the Palestinians and countries in the region.
He boasted of the devastating military operations that he had led and threatened Iran while also calling for calm, and he talked about rapprochement with the religious people while demanding respect for homosexuals. He also praised Netanyahu's patriotism and rejected corruption.
Polls indicated that if Gantz managed to form a political alliance with other contenders ahead of the vote, he could pose a threat to the prime minister by winning a majority of 35 seats in return for 30 to Netanyahu’s Likud party.
At the rally, Gantz introduced the first of those partners — another former chief of staff, Moshe Yaalon, who once served as Netanyahu’s defense minister.
This prompted the Likud to launch a “hysterical attack" on Gantz.
Some of the party’s leaders accused him of being a leftist. Others incited against him and accused him of the recent war failures in the Gaza Strip.
They also accused his wife of participating in an activity for Human Rights Watch, an international NGO that defends human rights and monitors the work of Israeli soldiers at the Occupation's checkpoints in the West Bank.
Likud campaign leaders are also preparing for a broader campaign against Gantz.
