JERUSALEM (AFP) – Israel’s centre-left opposition dramatically split on Tuesday (Jan 1) ahead of an April 9 election, with leader Avi Gabbay announcing he would no longer partner with veteran politician Tzipi Livni as she sat stone-faced next to him.

The announcement means the end of their Zionist Union alliance, which secured the second most seats in the last general election in 2015, but has since tumbled far in opinion polls.

The Zionist Union included Mr Gabbay’s Labour party and Ms Livni’s Hatnuah.

The Union won 24 out of 120 seats in 2015, behind Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud, which won 30.

Since Mr Gabbay took over as head of Labour in 2017, his partnership with Ms Livni had been uneasy and it was unclear if the alliance would continue for the election. He inherited the partnership from the previous Labour leader, Isaac Herzog.

“I still believe in partnership, in connections, in uniting a large camp committed to change, but successful connections necessitate friendship, upholding agreements and commitment to a course,” Mr Gabbay told a meeting of Zionist Union parliament members.

“That didn’t happen in this partnership,” he said, adding that he believed voters agreed.

Ms Livni approached the podium immediately afterwards and said tersely she would take time to reflect on Mr Gabbay’s announcement before responding.

At a separate press conference later, Ms Livni admitted Mr Gabbay’s announcement had taken her by surprise, rejected insinuations she lacked loyalty and said the split was ultimately for the best.

Recalling the original union with Mr Herzog, Ms Livni called it “a true partnership” between leaders who shared a vision.

“Gabbay was right about one thing today – it was never a real partnership between us, because he never wanted a partnership,” she said. “The way he ended it today is proof.”

Ms Livni stressed she wasn’t dwelling on the past and would remain focused on ousting Mr Netanyahu in the upcoming vote.

“What’s more important than dismantling the Zionist Union is fighting for Zionism,” she said.

Mr Gabbay’s decision is the latest realignment ahead of the election and more are expected.

On Saturday, two right-wing ministers, Naftali Bennett and Ayelet Shaked, announced they were splitting from their Jewish Home party to form a new grouping that they hope will attract a mixture of secular and religious voters.

A popular former armed forces chief of staff, Benny Gantz, has also signalled his intention to run by forming a new centrist party.

Polls show Mr Netanyahu is likely to remain prime minister after the elections despite corruption allegations against him.

The attorney general is expected to announce his decision on whether to charge Mr Netanyahu in the coming months.

The premier would not be required to step down if indicted. Mr Netanyahu currently leads what is seen as the most right-wing government in Israel’s history and says he would like to have a similar coalition after elections.

“I won’t intervene in how the left divides its votes,” he said in a statement after Mr Gabbay’s announcement. “What’s important to me is that the right forms the next government too, and continues to lead Israel.”

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