Aliza Bloch Calls for Broad Unity Government After Israel’s Election

Former Beit Shemesh mayor Aliza Bloch called on party leaders to end their exclusions of potential partners and negotiate a broad government after Israel’s election. In an interview published Tuesday evening, she argued that the political camps needed to move beyond their established alliances rather than continue ruling one another out. Bloch said refusing to sit with Benjamin Netanyahu disregarded the citizens who had voted for him. She described a narrow government as a serious problem and argued that the election results made wider cooperation necessary. “There is no choice, simply no choice,” Bloch said of forming a broad government. Explaining her decision to join Blue and White during the campaign, Bloch said she wanted to strengthen a third bloc and encourage partnership across Israeli society. She described campaign visits to Hebron, Hurfeish, Tel Aviv, Netanya and Kiryat Shmona. She said she had entered politics to improve education, but arguments over coalition alignments and military conscription had pushed education and everyday concerns aside. Bloch also rejected another election as irresponsible, arguing that it would not necessarily resolve the impasse. She urged party leaders to begin negotiations, agree common guiding principles and set the government’s priorities. Her appeal also extended to citizens, whom she encouraged to listen to people beyond their usual social and ideological circles.