If he hadn’t done so before, Zionist Union Chairman Yitzhak Herzog on Wednesday afternoon made it clear that he was not interested in joining a unity government with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu in his new government.

“The opposition is the only real option for us right now,” said Herzog at a meeting of the party Wednesday.

“We woke up today to a reality in which we continue to lead a large and strong group seeking a Jewish, democratic, secure, and just country,” said Herzog. “We will not apologize nor will we furl up our flags and standards. We will serve the people who supported us in the streets, the highways, and the polling places.”

Tzipi Livni, who would have been Prime Minister after Herzog under their rotation agreement had the party formed the government, said that she “woke up this morning with a bad feeling. They have their path, and that is not our path. Proudly we joined together for this great mission, and in Herzog I have found a brave leader who loves the Jewish people and Israel.

“The battle is not over,” said Livni. “There are two paths with different values – one of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and his right-wing colleagues, and ours, with our natural allies. We must carry on with our path, which believes in social justice. We have not lost hope,” she added.