Litzman, Shaked Exit Race as Bennett Launches New Party

Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has launched a new political list called "Bechira" (Choice), aiming to present an alternative to the current government. At the list's launch event, Yair Lapid, a prominent figure in the opposition, endorsed Bennett, stating he is the most suitable person to lead the country. Lapid urged voters to compare the current government's performance on security, economy, and cost of living with Bennett's previous tenure, suggesting a return to Bennett's leadership would be beneficial.

Bennett himself emphasized that the list's candidates were chosen based on their commitment to national repair and their ability to withstand pressure. "We saw a government working against its citizens, and I understood that everything needed to be reversed," Bennett stated, highlighting the selection criteria for his team.

In a significant political development, Ayelet Shaked, a long-time political partner of Bennett, announced she will not run in the upcoming elections, effectively ending their joint political chapter. Shaked, who had expressed skepticism about the viability of a "third bloc," also reportedly rejected an offer from Benny Gantz to join his party as the second-ranked candidate. Political sources suggest Shaked may be considering joining the Likud party, with some local Likud leaders reportedly urging her to join.

Meanwhile, the Likud party is experiencing internal turmoil regarding the placement of candidates on its electoral list. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has delayed finalizing these "armored" slots, leading to two prominent potential candidates, Yosef Haddad and Netaly Shemtov, defecting to Ofer Winter's emerging list. Likud is now considering alternatives, including Olympic medalist Oren Smadja and former Fire and Rescue Commissioner Dedi Shamchi. It is anticipated that Netanyahu may not utilize all his reserved slots, potentially promoting existing party members in the primary elections, which could ease internal tensions.