Israel’s Netanyahu criticises opposition uniting against him for election | Elections News
Opposition Leaders Unite to Boost Voter Turnout Ahead of Knesset Elections
By Al Jazeera Staff
Published September 27, 2026
Five Israeli opposition leaders have pledged to cooperate in efforts to increase voter turnout ahead of the upcoming Knesset elections scheduled for October 27. The agreement was finalized during a meeting at the home of opposition leader Yair Lapid in Tel Aviv on Saturday, according to Israel’s Channel 12.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to the coalition of opposition figures, contending that Gadi Eisenkot, head of the Yashar party, would collaborate with Lapid and other opposition leaders, including Yair Golan, Naftali Bennett, Avigdor Lieberman, and Arab party representatives to form a new government.
Netanyahu, in a post on social media platform X, emphasized that “only a strong Likud will stop them,” referring to his own right-wing political party. He also shared an altered photograph of the meeting that included additional opposition leaders.
The gathering included prominent figures such as Lapid, who leads the Yesh Atid party; Bennett of Bennett 2026; Lieberman of Yisrael Beiteinu; Eisenkot; and Golan of the Democrats party. Following the meeting, Lapid shared a photograph along with a document outlining their collaborative principles leading up to the elections and beyond.
The document stipulates that each party leader will focus on mobilizing their respective constituencies to enhance voter engagement and garner support from diverse segments of society in their pursuit of a parliamentary majority. Additionally, three joint working groups are to be established within 48 hours.
The first group will concentrate on initiatives to increase voter turnout and to ensure the integrity of the electoral process. The second will devise fundamental guidelines for the proposed opposition government, including a call for an official investigation into the October 7, 2023, attacks and the drafting of a new constitution. The third group will address media strategies and counteract what the leaders described as “fake news and smear campaigns.”
Bennett, a former prime minister, expressed optimism following the meeting, stating, “I am filled with hope again tonight. I am confident that we can win 63 seats and work together to fix Israel.” He affirmed the collective commitment of the leaders to work together throughout the election process and beyond to establish a new government.
