Elections 2026: Everyone Talks About Unity, But What Do They Mean?

In an opinion column for i24NEWS, Eliraz Shada wonders what 'unity' means in Israeli politics ahead of the 2026 elections. He claims every camp talks about unity but means only internal unity: right-wing, Haredi, left-wing, of those who enlist or evade, but not comprehensive Jewish unity. As an example, he quotes a Likud activist who said in a piece about the primaries that she supports unity but doesn't believe in Arabs or the left, and wants unity with the right 'and as far right as possible.' He also mentions that Yair Golan didn't want unity with Tzengaoker, and accuses the center-left of inventing political boycotts – they won't sit with Netanyahu, the Haredim, Ben Gvir, or Smotrich, but with Arabs they will, citing Merav Cohen who said Mansour Abbas is a Zionist. Shada ends with a call to his father, 'Sorry, Dad,' and criticizes the lack of desire for true unity.

In an opinion column for i24NEWS, Eliraz Shada wonders what 'unity' means in Israeli politics ahead of the 2026 elections. He claims every camp talks about unity but means only internal unity: right-wing, Haredi, left-wing, of those who enlist or evade, but not comprehensive Jewish unity. As an example, he quotes a Likud activist who said in a piece about the primaries that she supports unity but doesn't believe in Arabs or the left, and wants unity with the right 'and as far right as possible.' He also mentions that Yair Golan didn't want unity with Tzengaoker, and accuses the center-left of inventing political boycotts – they won't sit with Netanyahu, the Haredim, Ben Gvir, or Smotrich, but with Arabs they will, citing Merav Cohen who said Mansour Abbas is a Zionist. Shada ends with a call to his father, 'Sorry, Dad,' and criticizes the lack of desire for true unity.

Elections 2026: Everyone Talks About Unity, But What Do They Mean?