Gantz and Eisenkot Meet Amidst Concerns of Vote Splitting

Just three weeks before the election, Benny Gantz, chairman of the National Unity Party, announced a meeting with Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the "Yashar!" party, via a social media post stating, "Gadi, 19:00 at Maccabiah Village." This comes after reports of Eisenkot calling for a meeting to urge Gantz to withdraw from the election race.

The meeting is taking place against the backdrop of Eisenkot's efforts to prevent vote splitting within their political bloc. It is anticipated that Eisenkot will propose that Gantz withdraw from the race. However, Gantz's party has stated that he has no intention of withdrawing and is not seeking a personal position, rejecting the initiative outright.

This meeting follows a gathering last Saturday at the home of opposition leader Yair Lapid. That meeting included Eisenkot, Naftali Bennett, Avigdor Lieberman, and Yair Golan, but Gantz was absent. During that discussion, a document of principles was drafted, though disagreements arose. Lieberman reportedly blocked Eisenkot's demand to pre-select a consensus candidate for the bloc, fearing it would diminish his own influence.

At the previous meeting, a division of responsibilities was also agreed upon. Golan would focus on the Arab sector, Lieberman on former Soviet Union immigrants and traditional right-wing voters, and Bennett would engage in "parliament"-style gatherings across the country to win back disillusioned right-wing voters.