Kahlon Rejects Lapid's Offer for Post-election Alliance

Two years ago, after the elections or just before them, Yesh Atid chairman Yair Lapid and Habayit Hayehudi chairman Naftali Bennett forged an alliance that decided the fate and make-up of the coalition. By means of that move, which became known as the “brothers’ alliance,” Lapid and Bennett forced Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to bring both their parties into the coalition and thwarted his original intention to establish a government with the ultra-Orthodox and Labor.

Last week, it looked like Lapid was trying to repeat that brilliant move in an attempt to improve his chances to get into the next coalition with his faction. According to sources on the Kulanu slate last week Lapid’s representatives approached Kulanu chairman Moshe Kahlon and proposed forming a joint front immediately after the elections, which would negotiate together with Zionist Union chairman Isaac Herzog on a coordinate entry into the coalition.

Kahlon rejected offer, the sources said. In his party, and throughout the political world, it is believed that Lapid has a chance to once again serve as a minister in the next coalition only if it is formed and led by Zionist Union, and only Herzog will be able to persuade the ultra-Orthodox lawmakers to lift their veto against Lapid, whom they despise.

Lapid has nothing to look for in a Likud-Zionist Union unity government, with or without rotation, or in a right-wing-ultra-Orthodox government headed by Netanyahu. Kahlon, in contrast, is considered a desirable partner in any government, any make-up, under any prime minister. If Kahlon joins Lapid, it might help pave Lapid’s way into the next government, but it will be a weight around Kahlon’s neck.

What’s more, rumor has it that Kahlon might actually choose to cooperate with Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Lieberman after the elections. Together, they would work to force Netanyahu to establish a broad government, without Bennett and Habayit Hayehudi, and with Zionist Union and its leaders, Isaac Herzog and Tzipi Livni.

Kahlon’s campaign declined to comment for this report. Yesh Atid said there was no such approach to Kahlon.