Smiling for the cameras and fighting for the premiership: the covert battle within the Change Bloc

Behind the Change Bloc's outward image of unity, a covert battle for the premiership is underway. Lieberman fears Golan, and tensions between Lapid and Eisenkot linger from a handshake that did not lead to a deal in 2022. Now, with the lists closed, the main struggle will be over transferring votes within the bloc, where every seat could shift the balance of power and determine who leads the government if the bloc wins.

Behind the Change Bloc's outward image of unity, a covert and fierce battle for the premiership is underway. On the surface, there are no public attacks, there is coordination, and even a shared WhatsApp group for the chiefs of staff. But beneath the surface, Avigdor Lieberman fears Yair Golan and avoids joint photos, while deep tensions persist between Yair Lapid and Gadi Eisenkot. The main source of tension is the handshake in 2022, when Eisenkot was close to joining Yesh Atid but at the last moment chose to go with Benny Gantz. Lapid, who places great importance on a person's word and trust, has not forgotten the move. Now, with the lists closed, the main struggle will be over transferring votes within the bloc. According to checks, a significant portion of former Yesh Atid voters have moved to Eisenkot — in some checks, at least 40 percent. The scenarios vary: if Eisenkot reaches 24 seats compared to 15 for Benet and Lapid, he will almost be the boss. In another scenario, where the gaps are smaller, everything is open and a rotation could be discussed. The battle for every seat does not necessarily change the size of the bloc but could completely alter the balance of power within it. It may be that the dramatic question in these elections will be not only which bloc won, but who won within the winning bloc.