Israel's Change Bloc Plans Rapid Post-Election Legal Overhaul Amid Internal Fears

The "Change Bloc" is preparing for the immediate aftermath of the upcoming elections, with plans for swift legislative actions aimed at reversing key laws enacted by the current coalition. These measures include quickly replacing the Knesset speaker and halting the implementation of significant legislation scheduled to take effect after the vote. The bloc is anticipating intense pressure regarding a potential unity government, but a more pressing concern has emerged: the fear that some Knesset members within the bloc might oppose repealing judicial overhaul laws they agree with, potentially undermining the bloc's agenda. This concern was voiced during a recent meeting attended by representatives from various parties, including Oded Forer from Yisrael Beiteinu, the member of the Change Bloc and Orit Farkash from Yash!, Liran Avishar Ben Horin and Gili Haushner from Achva, and Ram Shefa from HaDemocratim. Some attendees expressed worry that certain candidates might obstruct necessary post-election legislation. Specific concerns focus on laws concerning the Attorney General's office, the Police Internal Investigations Department's subordination to the Justice Ministry, and the composition of the committee for selecting judges. Some parties are reportedly centralizing their decision-making, leading to delays in responses as representatives seek consultation. Others are referencing past statements by candidates who supported parts of the current coalition's legislative agenda, questioning their commitment to repeal it. "Some people on the lists promoted and spoke in support of the judicial coup laws," one source stated, highlighting the challenge. The bloc is working on drafting legislation for both repealing existing laws and introducing new ones quickly. "There are parties with a multitude of opinions, and it's unclear what their guiding principle is," a senior bloc member noted, expressing a lack of clarity on some positions. The Change Bloc is preparing for a parliamentary struggle, anticipating a close election outcome but aiming for an advantage. Their goal is to receive the mandate from the president, which would grant them control over the Arrangements Committee. This control, they believe, would allow for the swift replacement of the Knesset speaker within days of the election. "The mandate period is short and tight, so we need to reach as many agreements as possible in the bloc beforehand," they stated. The teams discussed mapping out Knesset members' voting intentions to counter Likud's expected efforts to fracture their majority. "If those individuals we are concerned about do not vote with us, we may not succeed in repealing the coalition's laws," a senior bloc member warned, emphasizing the need for resilience against anticipated pressure from Prime Minister Netanyahu. The Likud party has reportedly formed a dedicated team to study the Change Bloc's candidates, their social and familial circles, and influential figures, aiming to prevent anti-Likud votes after the election.