Eisenkot's Yachad Party Shifts Strategy to Become Largest Bloc

Gadi Eisenkot's Yachad party is launching a new campaign strategy to become the largest party in the "change bloc" ahead of the upcoming elections, aiming to grow even at the expense of other parties within the bloc. This strategic shift, reported two weeks before the vote, emphasizes the need for Yachad to secure the mandate to form the government and replace the current Knesset speaker.

Senior party official Shaul Meridor explained that this move is crucial to ensure Eisenkot receives the mandate to form the government before Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu does. Meridor warned that if Netanyahu receives the mandate first, he could prolong the current government's term by preventing the Knesset speaker from being replaced. Meridor stated that the party's data suggests this strategy could attract Likud voters, who he believes would switch if they see a significant lead by Yachad, emphasizing the need for a functional government led by a large party.

This new approach contrasts with previous discussions among the leaders of the change bloc, where consensus on a single leader proved elusive due to differing strategies. While some, like Avigdor Lieberman, favored a bloc-wide strategy, Eisenkot believed the largest party should be responsible for forming the government. The Yachad party declined to comment on these developments.