Opposition Leaders Meet Ahead of Elections, Postpone Decision on Premier Candidate

Leaders of four major parties within the anti-Netanyahu bloc convened on Saturday evening at the Tel Aviv home of opposition leader Yair Lapid. The meeting, held just 30 days before the October 27th elections, included Benny Gantz of National Unity, Naftali Bennett of Yamina, Yair Golan of the Democratic Union, and Avigdor Lieberman of Yisrael Beiteinu. The five discussed coordinating their bloc's efforts for election day.

Following the meeting, the leaders released a "Principles Document" outlining their understandings, but notably omitted naming a candidate for prime minister. They agreed to address this issue only after the elections. The document, titled "Principles of the Heads of the Reform and Hope Parties," stated their shared goal of establishing a "reform and rebuilding government, Zionist and official," despite ideological differences. They pledged to maximize voter turnout, encourage participation from all segments of society, and achieve a majority to form a government that preserves Israel as a Jewish and democratic state.

The document also included a commitment from party leaders not to attack each other or their parties until the government is formed. They agreed to work jointly after the elections to establish the reform government. Three joint working groups will be formed within 48 hours: one to increase turnout and prepare for election day, another to outline the future government's core policies including burden-sharing, an inquiry into the October 7th massacre, prime ministerial term limits, a constitution, and a 100-day plan, and a third to coordinate spokespersons and combat fake news and defamation campaigns.

Naftali Bennett expressed optimism on X (formerly Twitter), stating his confidence in winning 63 seats and reforming Israel, emphasizing that personal considerations were set aside for full cooperation. In response, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shared a doctored image of the bloc leaders, including Arab parties, and Bezalel Smotrich of the Religious Zionism party called the meeting "dangerous." Yoav Segalovich of the United Arab List commented that any government led by Gantz would require the participation of the United Arab List, urging the bloc to show leadership and not yield to Likud's intimidation tactics.