Shaul Meridor: How Will We Reach 61? We're Talking to People in Likud, They're Fed Up Too

Shaul Meridor, a senior figure in Gadi Eisenkot's 'Yashar' party, hinted in an interview on the 'Sari and Schlesinger' podcast that his party is holding talks with Knesset members in the Netanyahu bloc, including Likud, about a possible post-election defection to form a Zionist government. He stressed they won't rely on Mansour Abbas, attacked Itamar Ben-Gvir, and left the door open for Smotrich. Meridor sharply criticized Likud and Israel Katz, and promised to close government ministries.

Shaul Meridor, a senior figure in Gadi Eisenkot's 'Yashar' party, hinted in an interview on the 'Sari and Schlesinger' podcast published today (Friday) that his party is holding talks with Knesset members in the Netanyahu bloc, including Likud, about a possible post-election defection, aiming to form a Zionist government. He said, 'We will form a government with more than 61 seats; if not, we have talks with many people from many parties, even on the other side. They're fed up with what they see; they can't contain it.' He added they will talk to anyone who fits the definition of a statist Zionist. Meridor clarified that 'Yashar' will not form a government relying on Mansour Abbas, neither through external support nor abstention, because Abbas doesn't meet their principles: recognition of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, recognition of the Declaration of Independence, and conscription. He attacked Itamar Ben-Gvir, who he said is driven by racism, but left the door open for Smotrich, who he said is 'a click to the left of Ben-Gvir'. He didn't spare criticism of Likud: 'What's left of Likud is just the name, and it shames what it once was.' However, he didn't rule out Likud sitting in the government if it changes its ways. He also attacked Israel Katz, the former finance minister, claiming he was 'the first and only one who worked not to pass a budget.' Meridor promised that a government led by Eisenkot would close about ten government ministries.

Shaul Meridor: How Will We Reach 61? We're Talking to People in Likud, They're Fed Up Too