Leaders of Israel’s opposition “change bloc” signed a non-aggression agreement at opposition leader Yair Lapid’s Tel Aviv home on Saturday night, pledging to halt all political attacks against one another and their respective parties. The accord comes a month before the upcoming national election, as the faction coordinates its strategy to unseat Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.
Israel Change Bloc Leaders Sign Non-Aggression Pact Ahead of Election
The joint declaration was signed by Yair Lapid, former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, Yisrael Beytenu chairman Avigdor Liberman, Democrats party chairman Yair Golan, and Yashar chairman Gadi Eisenkot. The five politicians committed to maintaining internal peace while working toward a common parliamentary majority.
“From today until the formation of the government, none of us or anyone acting on our behalf will attack a fellow party in the bloc or its leader,” the document states.
Establishing Working Groups for Election Strategy and Government Planning
To back the non-aggression pact, the parties agreed to establish three joint working groups within 48 hours of the signing. The operational structure is designed to resolve past public friction and align the camp’s electoral approach.
The first group will draft foundational guidelines for the next government. Its mandate includes planning equal sharing of service obligations, establishing a state commission of inquiry into the events of October 7, instituting prime ministerial term limits, drafting a formal constitution, and outlining a 100-day action plan.
A second division will oversee voter turnout, election day logistics, and protecting the integrity of the vote. Meanwhile, a joint communications unit will coordinate public messaging and counter fake news and smear campaigns.
The agreement marks a distinct shift from previous weeks, during which internal disagreements—such as Yashar’s “largest party” campaign—spilled into the public arena. Eisenkot and Liberman previously met at Yashar’s offices to discuss aligning bloc-wide strategies rather than individual parties competing for the same pool of opposition voters.
Ideological Divides and Policy Conditions Remain
Despite the new cooperation framework, significant policy divisions persist among the bloc leaders, particularly regarding potential post-election coalitions with non-Zionist parties. Eisenkot recently introduced a strict condition for any future government partners, demanding formal recognition of Hamas as a terrorist organization that must be dismantled.
“I added another principle: recognition of Hamas as a terrorist organization that must be dismantled. I don’t see any Arab party accepting that. Anyone who does not accept that will not sit with me,” Eisenkot told 103FM.
The signatories acknowledged their underlying ideological differences in the Saturday night declaration but emphasized their shared commitment to safeguarding Israel as a Jewish and democratic state. The leaders called on the public to vote in the upcoming election to ensure a victory for the opposition camp.
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