The joint declaration in the change bloc that collapsed - and the panic: "They're preparing a red riding hood for us with Ra'am" | Maariv expose
MK Oded Forer (Yisrael Beiteinu) revealed that his proposal for a joint declaration by opposition leaders was rejected by representatives of Eisenkot and Golan, who instead proposed a commitment to a "coalition of servants." Forer expressed concern that Eisenkot and Golan are preparing a "red riding hood" with Ra'am, while Lieberman calmed him and expressed confidence in forming a Zionist coalition. Background: Eisenkot's "big party" campaign is causing tension in the bloc.
MK Oded Forer (Yisrael Beiteinu) revealed in an internal discussion that at the beginning of the week he approached all partners in the change bloc and proposed a joint declaration by opposition leaders, including a commitment to form a coalition only with Zionist parties. According to him, representatives of Gadi Eisenkot and Yair Golan flatly refused the wording and instead proposed a commitment to form a coalition only with parties supporting military or national service, under the definition of a "coalition of servants." Forer wondered whether Eisenkot and Golan had already reached understandings that would allow forming a government with Ra'am, without Yisrael Beiteinu, while enlisting the support of Agudat Yisrael from outside. "Are our bloc partners preparing a red riding hood behind our backs?!" he asked. Lieberman interrupted him and said: "Stop broadcasting panic and pessimism. I believe we will form a Zionist and national government. If we reach 61 seats - then even Likud, without Netanyahu, will join us." Forer was not convinced and retorted to Lieberman: "You trust Eisenkot too much. All the chiefs of staff come to politics with excessive self-confidence, they think they know everything and are smarter than everyone. And in the end - they all failed." In addition, Forer attacked Eisenkot's "big party" campaign, claiming it violates the understandings reached and is beginning to "siphon" mandates from Bennett, Golan, and Yisrael Beiteinu. "If Eisenkot declared war - we will return war," he said. The argument takes place less than two weeks before the elections, after the bloc leaders signed a principles document focusing on enlarging the bloc.