Gantz, Erdan Talks Collapse Ahead of Knesset List Deadline

Negotiations to merge Benny Gantz's National Unity party with Gilad Erdan's Unity party have failed less than a week before the deadline for submitting lists to the 26th Knesset's election committee. Sources within National Unity stated that after a meeting between the two leaders, Gantz announced that a merger would not occur.

Both parties are currently polling below the electoral threshold required to enter the Knesset. It is anticipated that if the parties determine they have no chance of being elected, they may withdraw from the race.

Sources from the Unity party accused National Unity of not seriously engaging in substantive discussions, stating, "National Unity's briefings, immediately after Erdan's meeting with Gantz, reveal more than anything who truly wanted unity and who only sought media prominence. We can only regret that National Unity never attempted to discuss substantive issues, and did not agree to go all the way for unity to unite the bloc."