Bennett and Lapid Agree on Alternating Spots in Second Knesset List Tier

Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, leaders of the "Achva" party, are set to unveil their full joint Knesset list on Sunday. Following the reveal of the top ten candidates on Saturday, it has been reported that the second tier of the list, from spots 11 to 20, will feature an alternating arrangement between Bennett's nominees and candidates from Lapid's "Yesh Atid" party. This "rich-rich" system means a Bennett appointee will be at number 11, followed by a Lapid appointee at 12, and so on, up to number 20.

Bennett is also deciding which of two prominent women will take a high spot on the unified list. The candidates are Keren Turner, former director-general of the Ministries of Transportation and Finance, and Liran Avishar Ben-Horin, former director-general of the Ministry of Communications. One will be placed third and the other fifth. With MK Merav Ben-Ari from Yesh Atid already slated for fourth place, this ensures three women will occupy the top five positions.

Five Yesh Atid candidates are expected to be in the second ten: Ram Ben Barak, Naor Shiri, Vladimir Beliak, Yorai Lahav Hertzanu, and Yasmin Sax Friedman. The party highlighted Beliak and Shiri's prominence in the last Knesset term, particularly their roles in blocking "under-the-table" fund transfers and their involvement in the "High Court of Justice Billion" case.

Further developments may still impact the final list. Bennett's camp is reportedly pressuring former minister Hili Tropper, head of the "National Zionist Home - Reservists" party, to join with two other nominees, Elissafer Peretz and Shira Shapira. Bennett visited Tropper on Friday. Tropper is also in talks with Gadi Eisenkot, leader of "Yashar," but has not made progress as he seeks to merge as an independent faction. Tropper is expected to decide within 24 hours, before the list submission deadline this week. Yesh Atid is entitled to 40% representation on the overall list.

Previously, Yesh Atid announced its top ten candidates amidst a wave of resignations from veteran lawmakers. Ben-Ari is fourth, Noam Tibon is sixth, and Merav Cohen is ninth.