Eisenkot, Bennett, Lapid, Lieberman and Yair Golan in a big problem: "Netanyahu has a significant advantage" | Anna Barsky
The change bloc is heading into the 2026 elections with five power centers and no agreed hierarchy. Eisenkot, Bennett, Lapid, Lieberman, and Golan each bring different audiences but must prove they can form a government together. Internal divisions are already visible: Eisenkot opened the door to a minority government without the Arab parties, Lieberman drew a red line, and Bennett avoided confrontation. The article examines the bloc's internal challenges against the discipline of the Netanyahu bloc.
The change bloc is heading into the 2026 elections with five power centers and no agreed hierarchy. Gadi Eisenkot, Naftali Bennett, Yair Lapid, Avigdor Lieberman, and Yair Golan each bring different audiences but must prove they can also form a government together. The article notes that the shared negative denominator of "anyone but Netanyahu" was enough to form a government in the past, but not necessarily to sustain it, as the fragile Bennett-Lapid government demonstrated. The divisions within the bloc are already visible: Eisenkot made clear that even if the bloc does not reach 61 Zionist seats, he does not intend to leave the current government in power, and a government could be presented without seeking anything from the Arab factions. Lieberman quickly drew a red line and announced he would not be part of such a minority government. Bennett avoided a frontal confrontation, but Eisenkot's move was interpreted as an attempt to speak directly to voters of neighboring parties. The article examines the personal challenges of each leader: Eisenkot must prove the bloc can replace the government without disintegrating in a leadership struggle; Bennett must show his experience serves the partnership; Lieberman must prove that red lines do not close the path to government; Lapid must prove he can be a senior partner even if he is not the first man. The article emphasizes that Netanyahu has almost never been required to give up part of his ownership claim within his own bloc.