'Situation hopeless': opposition cracks — what's happening inside the bloc

Internal conflict in the Israeli opposition bloc intensifies: Bennett criticizes Eisenkot, but faces falling ratings himself. According to Maariv, the 'Yashar!' party grew from 13 to 23 mandates, while 'Together' loses ground. Experts and politicians give contradictory assessments, and within Yesh Atid, tension grows over the alliance with Bennett.

Internal conflict in the Israeli opposition bloc intensifies amid a struggle for leadership. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett sharply criticized the leader of the 'Yashar!' party, Gadi Eisenkot, calling his plan a 'crazy mistake.' Knesset member Ram Ben Barak noted that Eisenkot's program is a 'complete 180-degree turn from Netanyahu,' but voters have not yet been convinced that experience in government is the key factor. Media strategist Ronen Tzur said that Bennett 'found himself in strategic helplessness,' running a campaign 'without a map and without stars.' Former minister Haim Ramon believes that attacks by Bennett and Lapid will not bring back their electorate: 'Their situation is hopeless.' Eisenkot himself responded to Bennett regarding the proposal to declare Qatar a hostile state, emphasizing that such decisions are not made as election statements. According to a Maariv poll, the 'Together' party is losing ground, while 'Yashar!' grew from 13 to 23 mandates. Within Yesh Atid, tension is rising: the alliance with Bennett is perceived as a political burden, and lawmakers fear for their seats. Commentator Matti Tuchfeld notes that it is increasingly assumed that Eisenkot will become the leader of the bloc.