The promises doled out by political leaders before elections aren't exactly etched in stone. The voting public knows this but has no choice but to put greater faith in their preferred side. Fulfilling these promises depends on such a multitude of factors – which cannot be foreseen prior to the election – that we're dealing with more empty promises rather than a serious oath to take action.
One of the two more conspicuous promises this election race has thus far produced was delivered via Israel Hayom by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who vowed to eschew a national unity government. The second was given by the Blue and White party, whose co-leader, Benny Gantz, declared that "in the next round [of fighting] we will defeat Hamas. If we have to, we will eliminate its leaders and pulverize [Gaza]. We will operate on the ground for as long as we want."
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Netanyahu has admitted in the past that one of his biggest mistakes was rejecting a national unity government in 1996, opting instead for a narrow, flimsy coalition. Netanyahu's current aspiration is to form a right-wing coalition with the ultra-Orthodox parties and reach 61 mandates. None of the existing polls indicate that this is realistic, but even if it does materialize it's highly doubtful he'll want this coalition to hinge on the single votes of Bezalel Smotrich or Ayelet Shaked. According to reports, a few weeks ago Netanyahu was ready to form a coalition with people from the other end of the political spectrum, if only for the purpose of establishing a government. So now, with national unity the most realistic path to forming a government, can he afford to shun it? Will he reject Blue and White's outstretched hand, for instance, if it offers the best chance of forming a government?
Gantz can promise that he will help the Palestinian Authority replace Hamas in Gaza, to create a different type of peace partner. He's also allowed to promise that he will seek a long-term ceasefire with Hamas if Israeli interests aren't sacrificed. He can even say that he won't tolerate Hamas acting against Israel, and will respond doubly in kind. In effect, he is repeating, almost verbatim, the promises made by Netanyahu (in the 2009 election campaign), Avigdor Lieberman (before he was appointed defense minister and after he resigned from the position), and Naftali Bennett (at every chance he gets). We could probably expect a little more prudence from Gantz, of all people, who was the IDF chief of staff during Operation Protective Edge in 2014.
Leaders, be more careful when you speak. Netanyahu could make do with simply saying that he prefers a right-wing government over national unity, and Gantz could make do with calling for an all-out war with Hamas – if all other options are exhausted. This would contribute considerably to the public's faith as the election race continues to unfold.
