Israeli "Change Bloc" Parties Clash Over Strategy and Leadership

Internal divisions are deepening within Israel's "change bloc" of parties, hindering efforts to coordinate ahead of the upcoming elections, according to a report by Amit Segal in "HaYom." Key disagreements revolve around potential future coalition partners and the leadership of the bloc post-election.

A significant point of contention is the stance on the Arab party Ra'am. Yair Golan reportedly favors a government that could rely on Ra'am's support, while former IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi suggests abstaining from votes involving the party. Meanwhile, Avigdor Lieberman advocates for disqualifying Ra'am from participating in the elections altogether and has challenged Ashkenazi to clarify his future coalition partners.

Ashkenazi's campaign is reportedly leveraging an internal poll suggesting his party could reach 37 seats if the race against Likud is close. This scenario, according to Segal, would significantly weaken the parties led by Naftali Bennett and Lieberman. However, Bennett and Lieberman are reportedly hesitant about this strategy, questioning whether a single poll should dictate major political moves.

Disagreements over leadership have also persisted. Ashkenazi asserts his party's right to lead the bloc due to its size, a claim Bennett and Lieberman have not committed to accepting. The dispute extends beyond seat numbers, touching on differing visions for forming the next government. Ashkenazi aims for his party to be the largest and lead the bloc, while Bennett and Lieberman prefer to keep coalition leadership decisions open until after the elections. The ongoing debate surrounding Ra'am further complicates these inter-party dynamics.