Potential partners against Erdan: 'Giving up leverage against Netanyahu'

Sources involved in talks to form the 'bloc between blocs' criticize Gilad Erdan's statement that he will not include the Democrats party in a future government. They argue that an early disqualification weakens his bargaining power against Netanyahu and leaves only one path to forming a government. Erdan earlier attacked Netanyahu over his commitment to advance a new draft law.

Sources involved in talks to form a camp that would unite the parties that have remained on the fence, known as the 'bloc between blocs', are criticizing Gilad Erdan's statement that he will not agree to include the Democrats party in a future government. According to them, an early disqualification of one of the options contradicts the message that the new party will work to form a unity government and will not join a narrow government, and weakens Erdan's bargaining power against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after the elections. "He is giving up the leverage against Netanyahu in negotiations - and leaving only one option for forming a government. How can he force unity like this?", noted sources familiar with the details. Earlier today, Erdan attacked Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following the publication of his commitment to advance a new draft law after the elections. "We no longer buy promises about 'draft', we no longer buy promises about 'unity'. We will not sit in a narrow government, of anyone", Erdan wrote on X. But according to those sources, if Erdan rules out in advance the inclusion of the Democrats party in the government, he significantly reduces his maneuvering space against Netanyahu. One of those familiar with the details said: "If you want to force a unity government, you must have all options on the table. The moment you veto one of the parties, you give up your leverage against Netanyahu and in practice leave yourself only one path to forming a government. How can he force unity like this?"