Opposition Divides on Forming Government

A rift over how to take power is complicating Israel's opposition strategy ahead of upcoming elections. While most polls place the anti-Netanyahu bloc ahead, its parties remain divided on whether to accept a minority government, with key figures Naftali Bennett and Avigdor Liberman rejecting the idea in favor of a guaranteed majority.

Polls show neither the outgoing coalition nor the opposition bloc securing the 61 seats needed to govern under current agreements. Gadi Eisenkot, seeking to lead the bloc, has floated forming a government if the change-seeking parties win 58 or 59 seats. He proposes securing a confidence vote through abstentions to take office, then working to expand support. This would bypass the requirement for 61 affirmative votes needed for a constructive vote of no confidence against an incumbent.

Liberman categorically rejects a minority government, insisting on a Zionist majority from the start. He also refuses a unity government with Netanyahu and prefers a new election over a government that fails his conditions. Bennett and Yair Lapid likewise demand a Zionist government, refusing to rely on Arab party votes or abstentions. Democrats chairman Yair Golan has not ruled out cooperating with Ra'am.

Leadership rivalry also persists. Eisenkot wants to head the largest party and become the bloc's candidate to form a government, while Bennett views himself as a natural choice due to his former experience as prime minister. Eisenkot rejects serving under Netanyahu. A meeting between Eisenkot and Liberman this week ended with a joint call for voter turnout but did not resolve their disagreement.

The bloc is also pursuing a strategy to control the parliamentary agenda before any coalition deal. They aim to replace Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana immediately after a new Knesset convenes. The speaker is elected by a public vote, and opposition parties could use Arab party MKs to assemble a majority for an agreed candidate. Names floated include Chili Tropper, Matan Kahana, Elazar Stern, Meirav Ben-Ari, Eitan Ginzburg, Efrat Rayten, and Oded Forer. Liberman estimated that one-third of outgoing coalition MKs might vote against Ohana.

Beyond leadership and speaker issues, the bloc has outlined an agenda including a state commission of inquiry into October 7, conscription law changes, tenure limits for the prime minister, and the repeal of judicial changes. Liberman also seeks to bar those facing criminal charges from serving as prime minister. No binding agreement exists on these details, and obstacles remain, including constitutional hurdles for laws targeting Netanyahu and the memory of the collapsed Bennett-Lapid government.