Opposition Bloc Leaders Meet Without Gantz, Who Responds with Protest

Leaders of Israel's "Change Bloc" (also known as "Only Not Bibi") convened for the first time during the current election cycle at the Tel Aviv home of opposition leader Yair Lapid on Saturday night. The meeting included Naftali Bennett, Gadi Eisenkot, Avigdor Lieberman, Yair Golan, and Yair Lapid. A key objective was to present a united front for the upcoming elections, with a joint photograph of the leaders expected to be released.

Despite the show of unity, significant disagreements persist among the bloc's leaders regarding its future leadership and structure. Gadi Eisenkot, whose party is reportedly leading in recent polls, is expected to demand official recognition as the bloc's leader. Naftali Bennett, however, is likely to propose focusing on strengthening the parties' individual power and cooperation, deferring the leadership question. Avigdor Lieberman is anticipated to suggest a three-leader model to allow major parties to work together without immediately deciding on a single candidate.

Adding to the internal debate, Eisenkot stated in a television interview that the Arab party Ra'am would not be part of the next government and that if his party becomes the largest, Bennett would recommend him for prime minister. This statement links the bloc's leadership question with the potential formation of the next government. The Likud party criticized Eisenkot, claiming he cannot form a government without other parties, including Arab ones.

Notably absent from the meeting was Benny Gantz, leader of the National Unity party. In response to not being invited, Gantz's party placed a truck outside Lapid's home displaying a message criticizing the political blocs for "stalling Israel." This tactic mirrors a previous strategy employed by Gadi Eisenkot, signaling Gantz's attempt to convey a message to the bloc leaders during their gathering.