Five Israeli opposition parties to coordinate campaign to replace Netanyahu government — Anadolu Agency

Leaders of five Israeli opposition parties have agreed to coordinate their election campaign ahead of the Knesset elections scheduled for October 27. Their goal is to win a parliamentary majority, replace the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and form an alternative coalition, Anadolu Agency reports.

Opposition bloc agreements

The meeting of the so-called change bloc took place at the home of opposition leader Yair Lapid in Tel Aviv. It was attended by Lapid, leader of the Yesh Atid party; Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the Yashar party; Naftali Bennett, leader of the Beyachad party; Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party; and Yair Golan, leader of the Democrats party.

After the meeting, the politicians released a joint photograph and a document setting out principles for cooperation before and after the elections. In particular, they committed to working with their voters, increasing turnout and attracting support from various groups in society. The leaders also agreed that until a government is formed, they and their representatives will not attack the bloc’s parties or their leaders.

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Three joint working groups

The document provides for the establishment of three working groups within 48 hours. The first will focus on increasing turnout among the bloc’s supporters, preparations for election day and ensuring the integrity of the electoral process.

The second group is to prepare the basic principles for the work of the future government, including issues of equality in the distribution of responsibilities, the establishment of an official commission to investigate the events of October 7, 2023, limiting the prime minister’s term in office, drafting a new constitution and a plan for the government’s first 100 days. The third group will coordinate the parties’ media activities and counter what the document described as fake news and smear campaigns.

Disputes over the candidate

The meeting took place after disagreements between Eisenkot, Bennett and Lieberman over selecting a single candidate for prime minister. Eisenkot criticized Bennett and Lieberman over the lack of clear rules for such a selection. Lieberman called for focusing on the bloc’s overall election result rather than discussing whether the candidate for head of government would take first or second place.