Gantz and Eitan in Advanced Talks for Technical Bloc Merger

Benny Gantz and Gilad Eitan are in advanced negotiations to merge into a technical bloc, with Gantz leading the list and Eitan serving as number two, while retaining his position as party chairman. This was reported on Sunday evening by Kan News.

Eitan's party is optimistic about potentially including Professor Yaron Zelekha as number three in the unified party, but Gantz has expressed reservations. Zelekha and Gantz met several weeks ago, and Zelekha has recently requested another meeting. Additionally, Gantz has met with Ayelet Shaked in recent days, attempting to recruit her for the merger, though her participation remains uncertain.

Two weeks ago, reports emerged about merger talks between Gantz and Shaked. Shaked had reportedly requested the number two spot and to include her own candidates on the unified list. Gantz, in turn, sought assurances that Shaked and her associates would commit to not forming a narrow government with either side.

Previously, Eitan also held discussions with Ofer Winter. A significant point of contention was Winter's willingness to join a narrow government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Gantz has stated he will run for the Knesset despite being abandoned by his partners, asserting that his public support, though perhaps unaware of itself, exists.