Heads of Zionist opposition groups meet, pledge not to attack each other in lead up to Knesset elections

The heads of the Zionist opposition parties, called the “Change Bloc” in Israel, met on Saturday evening, where they signed an agreement not to attack each other politically in the remaining month before the Oct. 27 election. 

The meeting, held at the home of current opposition leader Yair Lapid of Yesh Atid, saw the leaders agree to a joint document of principles for “the establishment of a government of repair and rebuilding, Zionist and statist.” 

In the meeting were Lapid, representing Yesh Atid; Gadi Eisenkot, of Yashar; Avigdor Lieberman, of Israel Beitenu; Naftali Bennet, head of Together [B’yachad]; and Yair Golan, of the Democrats. [Bennett and Lapid’s parties joined together to form the B’Yachad party for the October elections.] 

Eisenkot’s former partner, Benny Gantz, head of the Blue and White party, was not invited to the talks, despite being a Zionist politician. It is unclear if his party will clear the election threshold. 

The Arab parties were also not invited to the meeting, as none of the Arab parties affirms a Zionist position. 

The parties, seeking to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition government, met to establish a set of common principles for the remaining pre-election period. The leaders also agreed to formulate a series of principles for the next government at a later date. 

Following the meeting, Lapid released the details of the agreement in a post to his social media account. 

As part of the agreement, the parties committed to expanding the voter base and turnout ahead of the election, refraining from attacking each other and working together immediately following the election to form a coalition government. 

“We are united and determined to bring repair and hope to the State of Israel,” the party leaders said in a joint statement. “We call on every citizen who believes in this country, its values, and its strength, to go out and vote with us on Election Day to shape the future of our children together.” 

“Everyone understood the magnitude of the moment and set aside all personal considerations,” Naftali Bennett posted to his account following the meeting. “We agreed on full cooperation until the elections, on election day, and even after the elections, to establish a corrective government for Israel.” 

On Sunday, Democrats chairman Yair Golan said he believes an Arab party should be included in the government. 

“My position is well known,” Golan said. “We are working internally to ensure appropriate Arab representation, and we also believe that an Arab party can be part of the government.” 

Netanyahu’s Likud party responded by posting accusations that Golan would “bring an enemy into the government.” 

Netanyahu also posted an AI-edited photo to his personal 𝕏 account showing Arab party heads at the Zionist opposition meeting. 

איזנקוט יקים ממשלת שמאל עם ליברמן, יאיר גולן, בנט והמפלגות הערביות. רק ליכוד גדול יעצור אותם. pic.twitter.com/sWNRnXleL6

— Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) September 26, 2026

“Eisenkot will form a left-wing government with Lieberman, Yair Golan, Bennett, and the Arab parties,” he wrote. “Only a large Likud will stop them.” 

Polls across the various Israeli news agencies continue to report a highly contested race between the Change Bloc and the coalition government.