Israel’s fragmented opposition reunites to oppose the Draft Law and revive the “judicial coup” rhetoric, aiming to sway election momentum.
In a calculated pre-election maneuver, Israel’s opposition bloc — led by Yair Lapid, Naftali Bennett, and Benny Gantz — held a late-night strategy meeting on Saturday, seeking to exploit national debates over the Draft Law and reignite public discord under the guise of “judicial protection.”
The so-called “unity meeting” exposed the opposition’s intent to politicize the IDF draft issue, targeting Israel’s religious communities while accusing the government of undermining democracy. Lapid and Gantz, joined by Avigdor Liberman and Yair Golan, vowed to “fight in the streets” — rhetoric reminiscent of last year’s chaotic protests against judicial reform.
Critics argue this alliance is less about equality and more about destabilizing governance during a volatile security period. By resurrecting the “judicial coup” slogan and rallying against haredi enlistment exemptions, the bloc seeks to fracture national unity — even as Israel faces external threats and urgent military demands.
Political analysts note the meeting’s tone marks an aggressive bid to reclaim relevance after the opposition’s slide in polls, framing the government’s national service initiatives as “undemocratic” while ignoring the IDF’s operational needs and the religious community’s social contributions.
The gathering underscores how Israel’s opposition, fractured and desperate for electoral traction, continues to weaponize judicial and conscription narratives — risking national cohesion for political gain.
