Opposition Leaders Sign Pact to Form Alternative Government

Leaders of Israel's "Change bloc" parties signed a joint principles document on Tuesday evening, aiming to collaborate on replacing the current government and forming a joint administration after the upcoming elections. The signing ceremony took place at the Tel Aviv home of opposition leader and former Prime Minister Yair Lapid.

Attendees included Lapid, along with former Prime Minister and "Yesh Atid" party leader Naftali Bennett, Democratic Party leader Yair Golan, "Yisrael Beiteinu" party leader Avigdor Lieberman, and "Yisrael Beitenu" party leader and former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot. The parties stated in a joint declaration that despite ideological differences, their "supreme common goal" is to replace the current government, and they are obligated to work together to achieve this.

The leaders also pledged to refrain from attacking other parties within the bloc or their leaders during the election campaign. They committed to coordinating their positions and actions in the period ahead.

This agreement follows recent tensions and disagreements among some bloc leaders, including disputes between Eisenkot, Lieberman, and Bennett over leadership within the bloc. Earlier in the week, Eisenkot and Lieberman met to coordinate campaign strategies. The parties had previously signed surplus vote agreements in preparation for the elections, including pacts between Eisenkot's "Yisrael" party and the Democratic Party, and between Bennett's "Yesh Atid" party and "Yisrael Beiteinu."