Eisenkot Party Official: We Will Win Over 61 Seats, No Rotation With Netanyahu
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
Shaul Meredith, a senior figure in Gadi Eisenkot's party, declared they aim for over 61 Knesset seats and will not form a rotation government with Benjamin Netanyahu. He presented four reasons why their party must be larger than Likud to win and govern effectively. Meredith also strongly criticized Netanyahu's leadership and rejected Yariv Levin's approach to governance, while defending the Supreme Court's role in a democracy.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Shaul Meredith stated Eisenkot's party will not form a rotation government with Netanyahu, even if it means new elections.
- Meredith believes his party must be significantly larger than Likud to win over 61 Knesset seats.
- He argued that a strong centrist party is crucial for managing a stable government and attracting voters.
- Meredith blamed Benjamin Netanyahu for a "greatest disaster" and stated he is unfit for leadership.
- He defended the Supreme Court against government attacks and emphasized protecting minority rights.
- Meredith projected a potential of 63-64 seats, dependent on high voter turnout.
Shaul Meredith, the seventh-ranked official in Gadi Eisenkot's party, outlined post-election political strategies during a home gathering, expressing confidence that many voters will shift from Likud to their party. Meredith stated, "I promise one thing, our leadership will not lie. We will not say yes and do no. We will not say I will sit with him and then not sit with him. I tell you honestly, there is no chance we will do a rotation with Netanyahu, even at the cost of another election."
Meredith emphasized that the primary goal is a bloc victory of over 61 Knesset seats, which he believes requires a strong and large centrist party. He argued that "Yesh" (presumably the name of Eisenkot's party) must be significantly larger than Likud for several key reasons: to secure the first mandate from the President, which influences Knesset committee appointments and government formation; to manage a stable government from the center, reducing the potential for blackmail by smaller parties; and to attract voters from Likud and the right, who will only move to a demonstrably stronger party. Meredith projected a potential of 63-64 seats, contingent on high voter turnout, suggesting a 10% increase if the opposition's turnout matches the right-wing bloc's. He also noted that if the Arab sector votes at higher rates, it would further solidify a victory.
During a heated exchange with an audience member, Meredith firmly rejected any leadership role for Benjamin Netanyahu, whom he blamed for a "greatest disaster" in Israel's history. He drew a parallel between the accountability shown by security chiefs like Herzi Halevi and Raanan Bar, who he said should have resigned, and the political leadership. Meredith criticized Yariv Levin, stating Levin's goal is "dictatorship" and that he is the "negative" of Meredith's own beliefs. He also defended the Supreme Court (Bagatz), calling the idea that it is the nation's problem "delusional" and a subversion of democratic principles, emphasizing that democracy requires protecting minority rights from arbitrary majority decisions.
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