Israeli Opposition Bloc Fractures Over Coalition Plans and Campaign Tactics
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
Disputes have erupted within Israel's opposition "change bloc" over coalition plans and campaign tactics ahead of the elections. MK Oded Forer accused Gadi Eisenkot and Yair Golan of potentially seeking understandings with the Arab party Ra'am without his party's involvement. Avigdor Lieberman dismissed these fears, expressing confidence in forming a Zionist government, while Forer criticized Eisenkot's "big party" campaign for allegedly undermining coalition partners. Lieberman reiterated his party's commitment to a Zionist-only coalition, excluding Ra'am and other religious parties.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- MK Oded Forer accused Gadi Eisenkot and Yair Golan of potentially forming a coalition with Ra'am behind his party's back.
- Avigdor Lieberman dismissed fears of a "Red Riding Hood" scenario, vowing to form a Zionist government.
- Forer criticized Eisenkot's "big party" campaign for allegedly siphoning votes from coalition partners.
- Lieberman stated Yisrael Beiteinu will only form a coalition with Zionist parties, excluding Ra'am and religious factions.
- The internal disputes occur less than two weeks before the upcoming Israeli elections.
Internal disputes have erupted within Israel's "change bloc" opposition parties less than two weeks before the upcoming elections, primarily concerning coalition formation and campaign strategies. MK Oded Forer of Yisrael Beiteinu initiated a proposal for a joint declaration by opposition leaders, committing to form a coalition solely with Zionist parties. However, representatives for Gadi Eisenkot and Yair Golan reportedly rejected this, suggesting instead a commitment to form a coalition only with parties supporting military or civil service, termed a "serving coalition."
Forer expressed suspicion that Eisenkot and Golan might be pursuing understandings with the Arab party Ra'am behind the scenes, potentially excluding Yisrael Beiteinu. He questioned if they were preparing a "Red Riding Hood" scenario, where a coalition could be formed with Ra'am's external support, possibly even a transitional government, without Yisrael Beiteinu's involvement. Forer also raised the possibility of Eisenkot attempting to form a minority government with Ra'am, supported externally by Agudat Yisrael.
Avigdor Lieberman, leader of Yisrael Beiteinu, dismissed Forer's concerns as panic, asserting his belief in forming a "Zionist and national government." Lieberman suggested that if the bloc reaches 61 mandates, even the Likud party, without Benjamin Netanyahu, would join. However, Forer remained unconvinced, criticizing Lieberman's trust in Eisenkot and remarking on the tendency of former military chiefs to overestimate their political acumen.
Further exacerbating tensions, Forer accused Eisenkot of violating prior agreements by aggressively pursuing a "big party" campaign. Forer claimed this strategy aims to siphon votes from coalition partners like Naftali Bennett and Yair Golan, thereby weakening them and consolidating Eisenkot's own power. Forer warned that if Eisenkot has declared "war," the other parties must retaliate.
Lieberman later issued a statement clarifying Yisrael Beiteinu's firm stance: the party will only form a coalition composed of Zionist parties, explicitly excluding Ra'am, the Joint List, Shas, and United Torah Judaism. He also stated the party would not support any minority government, even for a transitional period. These disagreements surface despite earlier agreements among bloc leaders to cease internal attacks and focus on expanding their support base.
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