Israel's "Change Bloc" Parties Vie for Dominance Ahead of Elections

Internal tensions within Israel's "Change Bloc" are escalating as parties compete for dominance ahead of the next elections. A recent text message from Gadi Eisenkot's campaign, emphasizing the race to be the "largest party in Israel" against Benjamin Netanyahu and the Likud, highlights this internal struggle. The message notably omits references to right-wing figures or the October 7th attacks, focusing instead on internal bloc positioning.

Eisenkot has made the "largest party" principle a central theme, urging other bloc leaders like Naftali Bennett and Avigdor Lieberman to commit that the leader of the largest party will be the prime ministerial candidate. He warns that attempting to form a government otherwise could jeopardize the ousting of Netanyahu.

While publicly united against Netanyahu and the right-wing bloc, parties within the Change Bloc are engaged in a behind-the-scenes battle for influence and the number of mandates each will secure. This competition is crucial for post-election coalition negotiations. For instance, Yesh Atid aims to win back voters who have shifted to Eisenkot, estimating that around 40% of their former supporters are now with him.

The outcome of this internal competition could significantly impact coalition talks. A large lead for Eisenkot would bolster his claim to lead the government, while a close finish among parties could open the door to rotation agreements or other demands from coalition partners. Lieberman has publicly disagreed with the automatic support for the largest party's leader, calling it a "serious mistake."

A recent meeting between Bennett and Lieberman was interpreted by some as a consolidation of forces against Eisenkot, increasing suspicion among bloc members. Simultaneously, concerns are rising about the bloc's overall standing in recent polls. Some fear that an overly aggressive internal competition could lead to a zero-sum game, where votes are merely shifted between parties without growing the bloc's total support.

Senior figures have publicly addressed these concerns. Bennett urged supporters not to despair over poll results, stating that victory is possible with the right approach and warning against despair. MK Merav Ben Ari encouraged supporters to remain hopeful, emphasizing the need to vote out the current government and implement policies like a state inquiry commission, universal conscription, and term limits for the prime minister.