Efforts to form 'anyone but Bibi' coalition gain steam
Speaking at Saban Forum, Hatnua leader Tzipi Livni and Opposition leader Isaac Herzog say path towards formation of center-left bloc is shorter than ever
Efforts by left-wing and centrist lawmakers to form a centrist bloc continued throughout the weekend, in attempts to pose an alternative to Netanyahu's Likud government, with factions running on separate lists but leading with one message to the public,
According to reports, former top Likud minister Gideon Sa'ar is still contemplating running for Likud's top spot, in hopes of replacing Netanyahu as party leader, in a quick return to politics only months after leaving the Likud and the interior ministry.
During the weekend, Opposition leader Isaac Herzog (Labor) and former justice minister Tzipi Livni (Hatnua) traveled to Washington to take part in the 11th annual Saban Forum. Speaking at the conference Herzog quipped that he told his way he was going to "invest in some couplehood with Tzipi over the weekend."
He went on to say that "I said this from day one, when I was elected chairman of the Labor party, that I will try to form a centrist bloc that will pose an alternative to Netanyahu. I work towards this goal in a cautious and sobered attitude. We're not in negotiations right now, we're here to listen and be heard."
In recent weeks, Herzog has been attempting in discussions with party heads to summarize three key principles for the formation:
1. Commitment to the peace process
2. Commitment to social justice
3. An anyone but Bibi alliance
The main efforts are directed towards a joint declaration of the parties to commit to the public in advance that they would not serve under a Netanyahu leadership.
Starting on Tuesday evening, the center-left factions initiated advanced talks on creating what they refer to as an "alternative to Netanyahu." Labor Chairman Isaac Herzog tried to assemble the various center-left parties – Labor, Yesh Atid, Hatnua, Kadima, and Meretz – into a united front.
Support from Yachimovich and Yaakov Peri
MKs in the center-left did not spare Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of their criticism on Saturday, and continued calling for his replacement in the upcoming elections.
"We'll go with whoever has enough mandates to replace the Netanyahu administration, even with (Labor leader Isaac) Herzog or (Hatnua leader Tzipi) Livni," former Yesh Atid minister Yaakov Peri said at a cultural event in Be'er Sheva.
Peri, who resigned from his position as minister of science, technology and space after Netanyahu fired Yesh Atid party leader Yair Lapid, said it's not as important who will lead a possible united center-left bloc, as long as it replaces the existing leadership. "I'll be the first to support and act in forming such a bloc," he said.
Labor's Shelly Yachimovich, also speaking at a cultural event, said the heads of the center and left factions were doing all they could to create partnerships and alliances in order to bring to the end of Netanyahu's administration.
She noted that it was critical the heads of parties committed not to recommend Netanyahu for prime minister following the elections, and not sit to in a future coalition with Netanyahu at its helm.
Labor MK Nachman Shai, speaking at a cultural event in Mevaseret Zion, said Israel must be pulled out of "the stagnation it deteriorated into in society, economy, foreign relations and security."
