Netanyahu appoints sole Russian-speaking Likud candidate Elkin to lead party's immigrant outreach

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has appointed Minister Ze'ev Elkin to spearhead the Likud party's campaign targeting immigrant voters, signaling a strategic effort to bolster support among Russian-speaking constituents. Elkin, who is the only Russian-speaking candidate currently on the Likud's Knesset list, was placed in charge of the party's immigrant headquarters and included in its campaign management team.

This appointment underscores the Likud's focus on the Russian-speaking electorate, a group estimated to hold significant electoral power, potentially influencing around 15 Knesset seats. The party believes this demographic, including recent immigrants and those who gained Israeli citizenship since 2014, has not yet consolidated behind a single party in the upcoming elections. The Likud aims to capture a portion of these votes, building on previous successes where they secured seats from this community even in weaker election cycles.

Elkin's prominent role in leading the immigrant outreach campaign is widely seen as a move to secure him a reserved slot on the Likud's final Knesset list. Currently ranked 32nd, a position not typically considered viable, his leadership position suggests a potential elevation to a more realistic spot before the party submits its final list in approximately two weeks.

The Likud party released a statement Tuesday, wishing Elkin luck and outlining his responsibilities. "Ahead of the upcoming election campaign, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided to appoint Minister Ze’ev Elkin as the director of the Likud’s immigrant headquarters," the statement read. "Minister Elkin will be a partner in the party’s campaign management team and will oversee all activity in the immigrant sector until the elections."

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Ahead of the upcoming election campaign, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided to appoint Minister Ze’ev Elkin as the director of the Likud’s immigrant headquarters. Minister Elkin will be a partner in the party’s campaign management team and will oversee all activity in the immigrant sector until the elections. Good luck, Ze’ev!