Israeli Opposition Bloc Sets Legislative Agenda and Repeal Plans for Next Knesset
Opposition factions in Israel have formed working teams to plan legislative priorities and the repeal of controversial coalition laws if they win a majority in the upcoming Knesset elections.
Three weeks after the joint meeting of opposition faction leaders at the home of Yair Lapid, working teams representing the anti-Netanyahu bloc have convened to map out legislative priorities for the "day after" the upcoming elections, should they secure a majority in the Knesset. Drawing lessons from the previous Bennett-Lapid government, where several core campaign promises stalled, the bloc is determined to advance its key principles early in the term and repeal controversial legislation passed by the outgoing coalition.
Legislative Repeals and Core Priorities
The working teams—comprising former MK Ram Shefa for The Democrats, MK Oded Forer for Yisrael Beytenu, Liran Avishar Ben-Chorin and Gili Hausner for the "BeYachad" list, alongside Shaul Meridor and Orit Farkash-Hacohen for Gadi Eisenkot's "Yashar!" party—agreed on a concrete agenda. One of the first moves will be the repeal of contested laws from the outgoing parliament, including the judicial selection committee law promoted by Justice Minister Yariv Levin, legislation regarding the powers of the Attorney General, media reforms pushed by Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi, and the bill expanding the jurisdiction of rabbinical courts.
Furthermore, the document outlines three primary initiatives to be prioritized upon the formation of a new government:
-
Establishing a state commission of inquiry as the very first decision of the inaugural cabinet meeting.
-
Enacting legal sanctions against ultra-Orthodox individuals who evade military conscription.
-
Advancing legislation to limit the tenure of the prime minister.
While some factions urged the inclusion of the controversial "indicted person bill" prohibiting a criminal defendant from forming a government, others expressed reservations, arguing that if Benjamin Netanyahu is ousted, this measure could be deferred to a secondary phase.
Eisenkot's Security Pledge
Amid these political alignments, opposition figure Gadi Eisenkot delivered a security statement near the Gaza Strip, pledging decisive military action.
Within 18 months of taking office as prime minister, Hamas will no longer rule the Gaza Strip. We will bring about the destruction of Hamas's military wing, whether through an arrangement based on President Donald Trump's framework accepted by the government, or through the deployment of independent military and operational capabilities.
In response, the "Likud" party dismissed the pledge, asking how he intended to dismantle Hamas without relying on coalition partners from the Arab parties. "Yashar!" fired back, stating that Benjamin Netanyahu and "Likud" have misled the public for 17 years while inadvertently strengthening Hamas.
