Opposition Leaders Meet, Aim to End Internal Squabbles

Leaders of Israel's "Change Bloc" opposition parties, including Gadi Eisenkot, Naftali Bennett, Avigdor Lieberman, and Yair Golan, convened at the Tel Aviv home of opposition leader Yair Lapid. For the first time, they released a joint photograph following the meeting.

Political commentator Amir Ettinger of "Yedioth Ahronoth" discussed the significance of the gathering on Sunday. He stated on 103 FM that the meeting was intended to halt the ongoing exchanges of messages and disputes among the party leaders. "Those who weren't interviewed against each other were briefing journalists behind the scenes. This meeting was meant to put an end to this," Ettinger explained. He added that the public within their constituency did not appreciate seeing these internal conflicts, and the meeting aimed to signal unity despite disagreements on a prime ministerial candidate.

Ettinger believes the meeting itself achieved its objective, calling it a positive event for the Change Bloc. He also commented on the impact of these internal conflicts on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, suggesting, "It's clear Netanyahu is pleased that they are fighting amongst themselves instead of investing resources in the fight against Netanyahu."

While the leaders agreed not to address the question of the prime ministerial candidate until after the elections, Ettinger anticipates this issue will continue to be a point of contention. "They are not deciding who the candidate for prime minister will be, but there is an agreement not to deal with it until the elections. This is nonsense because every interview opens with who is the candidate for prime minister," he concluded.