Opposition chiefs jointly announce establishment of ‘permanent forum’

Following a meeting, several leaders of the so-called “change bloc” announce the establishment of a “permanent forum,” bringing together the heads of the opposition parties.

The statement by Opposition Leader Yair Lapid (Yesh Atid), Yisrael Beytenu chairman Avigdor Liberman, “Yashar! With Eisenkot” chief Gadi Eisenkot, and The Democrats head Yair Golan says the group’s next meeting will be held “immediately” after Yom Kipper, which this year falls on October 2, and that they expect Bennett 2026 and Blue and White-National Unity chairmen Naftali Bennett and Benny Gantz to attend after neither was present for the talks tonight.

The statement also announces the pending establishment of a “professional body” aimed at dealing with “the basic guidelines of the next government,” such as drawing up a national constitution, enshrining universal military conscription and “preserving the character of the State of Israel as a Jewish, democratic and Zionist state.”

The opposition chiefs are working to coordinate their efforts ahead of the next national election. Also absent from the meeting this evening was former communications minister Yoaz Hendel, who this week announced that registration of a new political party he is calling HaMiluimnikim (“The Reservists”), which will run in the next Knesset election “between the blocs.”