As Israel’s opposition jostles over leadership, its bid to replace Netanyahu weakens - opinion
The change bloc is losing momentum as its leaders remain divided over strategy. A simple pre-election agreement could resolve the deadlock.
The opposition within Israel's political landscape is in disarray as leaders vie for the prime minister position, weakening their chances of replacing Netanyahu. Gadi Eisenkot advocates for a united front, rallying behind a single candidate to present voters with a clear alternative government. Yair Golan supports this approach, believing that a direct contest between Eisenkot and Netanyahu would be more effective.
However, Avigdor Liberman and Naftali Bennett argue that multiple candidates would expand the bloc's potential voter pool. Both have valid points, but their ongoing arguments are counterproductive and reflect poorly on the opposition.
Eisenkot's theory is grounded in the idea that a clear leader can generate momentum and attract voters, similar to Peter Magyar's success in Hungary. Liberman and Bennett agree that there may be voters who support a particular party because of its leader's chances of becoming prime minister, but only if that possibility exists. However, a multiple-candidate approach can create an unattractive image of weakness, implying that the bloc doesn't entirely trust its voters. This defensive strategy undermines their credibility and may alienate potential supporters.
While there are merits to both sides' arguments, the ongoing debate is destructive and detrimental to the opposition's campaign. The political landscape has shifted, with the opposition's support contracting instead of expanding as the election approaches. This decline can be attributed to various factors, such as Ofer Winter's entry, the Religious Zionist list's success, and the reunification of the Arab factions.
Despite these developments, the bloc has experienced a net loss of several seats, indicating that something needs to change.
The opposition's campaign primarily focuses on a personal struggle against Netanyahu, which is understandable but diverts attention from addressing other critical issues facing the country. They should also emphasize their overlap with large segments of the Israeli public, particularly regarding the relationship between the state and the haredi community, military conscription, and public funding. These issues could help them reach voters who have never considered themselves part of the Center-Left.
A better solution would be for the opposition's leaders to agree on a straightforward rule: the leader of the largest party in the bloc should become prime minister. This would ensure a clear and automatic process, eliminating post-election maneuvering and fostering trust among voters. This approach would project strength and demonstrate that the opposition fully represents the Israeli electorate.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
