Israel’s opposition leaders pledged to stop attacking one another. They have not agreed on a prime ministerial candidate.
Five Israeli opposition leaders agreed Saturday to coordinate their campaigns and stop criticizing one another ahead of the Oct. 27 parliamentary election, in an effort to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. Anadolu Agency, citing Israel’s Channel 12, reported that the meeting took place at opposition leader Yair Lapid’s home in Tel Aviv. It brought together Lapid, Naftali Bennett, Gadi Eisenkot of the Yashar party, Avigdor Lieberman of Yisrael Beiteinu and Yair Golan of the Democrats.
The leaders published a document setting out principles for cooperation before and after the vote. Each pledged that neither they nor anyone acting for them would attack a partner party or its leader until a government is formed. They also agreed to set up three joint working groups within 48 hours. One will focus on voter turnout and election integrity, another on drafting guidelines for a future government, and the third on coordinating media responses to what the document called disinformation and smear campaigns. According to Anadolu, the proposed government guidelines include an official inquiry into the events of Oct. 7, 2023, and a plan for the first 100 days in office.
The agreement leaves major questions open. The Jerusalem Post reported that the leaders did not settle how the bloc would choose its candidate for prime minister or how it would reach the 61 seats needed for a majority in the 120-seat Knesset. Eisenkot’s party leads the bloc in polls, and he has ruled out coalitions with ultra-Orthodox or Arab parties unless they accept his conditions. Golan said Sunday that Arab parties, including Ra’am, remain a possible coalition option. The Post said the opposition parties currently poll short of a majority, and Anadolu reported that opinion polls show Netanyahu’s bloc trailing the opposition camp overall. Reports differ on how the leaders’ parties are aligned, and poll figures vary by source.
Netanyahu has led the government since late December 2022 and is Israel’s longest-serving prime minister. He is on trial on corruption charges, which he denies. The election comes as Israel remains engaged in regional conflicts.
This report is based on information from Anadolu Agency, The Jerusalem Post, Atalayar and Israel’s Channel 12 as cited by Anadolu.