Rising Opposition Politician Draws His Red Lines - and Netanyahu Is One of Them

Former Finance Ministry budget chief Shaul Meridor, who recently joined Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar party, said he would refuse to sit in a government with Otzma Yehudit chairman Itamar Ben Gvir or Balad.

In an interview with Israel Hayom, Meridor was asked which parties he would not join in a future coalition.

“Ben Gvir,” he said. “Racism is beyond the pale. It is against Jewish values, and with such extremism there is no compromise. There is also no compromise with Balad.”

Meridor also ruled out supporting a government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, arguing that those who sat in the security cabinet before the October 7 massacre should not continue leading the country.

“Anyone who managed the cabinet and sat in it before October 7 is not fit to lead the state,” Meridor said.

He said the current polling trends show that the public wants a change in leadership.

“The clear Zionist majority is on our side,” he said. “In that sense, the public, at least in the polls, is saying its piece.”

Meridor argued that the opposition bloc would be able to translate those numbers into a political outcome that forces Netanyahu from power.

“With these polls, which reflect reality, we will know how to create a situation in which Netanyahu makes way,” he said.