Bloc leaders coordinate government formation and Knesset plans
The leaders of the Change Bloc met in Herzliya for about an hour, their first joint meeting since the elections. They agreed that all participating parties would recommend Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of Yashar!, to receive the first presidential mandate to form a government.
The leaders also agreed to replace the Knesset speaker at the first opportunity and choose their candidate for the position by Monday. Their negotiating teams will immediately begin drafting the government’s guiding principles and coalition agreements.
In a joint statement issued under the name of the Change and Reform parties, the leaders said they would act immediately to replace the current government, which they called the October 7 government, with a National Emergency Government. They committed to establishing a Zionist government based on Eisenkot’s four principles as quickly as possible.
The statement said the parties were preparing for the swearing-in of the 26th Knesset and the formation of Israel’s 38th government. They pledged to translate what they described as a clear parliamentary majority and a decisive public vote for change into action from the new Knesset’s first days.
The leaders accused Likud and Netanyahu of conducting a dangerous and unhinged campaign to delegitimize the election results and the Central Elections Committee. They pledged to defend the results and democratic process, prevent another election and maintain close coordination until a new government is sworn in.
Upon entering the meeting, Lapid said:
“We need to go and form a government and remove Netanyahu from the Prime Minister’s Office.”
Bennett pledges support, with coalition partners still under discussion
Former prime minister and Beyachad chairman Naftali Bennett said after the meeting:
“We have no time to waste. We need to act with great urgency.
Therefore, as quickly as possible, we must take control of the Knesset, secure the mandate to form a government, and move as swiftly as possible to establish a Zionist government of national renewal, in order to bring about the revolution of those who serve and begin repairing the country.
The entire Beyachad party will fully mobilize to help Gadi Eisenkot form a government as soon as possible.”
Segal interpreted Bennett’s message to Eisenkot, who may be considering a government with the ultra-Orthodox parties, as: “We will help with all our might, but only to establish a Zionist government of those who serve.”
Prospective Knesset member Peretz, from Eisenkot’s party, also addressed the discussions about ultra-Orthodox participation: “Those who serve in combat roles must be the top priority. That’s why we need a Zionist government.”
Golan’s position in favor of forming a government with the Arab parties remained a minority view at the meeting. Segal noted that Golan’s statement said the parties discussed “replacing Netanyahu, Ben-Gvir, and Smotrich.” He pointed out that Deri and Goldknopf were not included.
Segal also criticized the bloc’s willingness to leave talks with the ultra-Orthodox parties open after a campaign in which, he said, its leaders had portrayed the ultra-Orthodox as “parasites” (Golan), “draft dodgers” (Bennett), “destroyers of the country” (Liberman) and “non-Zionists” (Eisenkot).
Joint List chairman Yousef Jabareen told CNN why he would not join the coalition:
“I cannot take responsibility for military actions against our Palestinian people.”
Feiglin and Smotrich will meet with the president separately.
Eisenkot is scheduled to begin receiving direct security protection tomorrow from Unit 730 of the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet).
