Talks between Blue and White chairman Benny Gantz and reserve Brig. Gen. Dadi Shchimi are still ongoing, but they have not yet reached a signing or an announcement of a joint run. Behind the scenes, electoral calculations are slowing the deal, because internal numbers suggest the current pairing could remain outside the Knesset without additional support.
People close to both men are trying to calm the concerns and say their own data looks much more favorable than some figures published in the media. The aim is to broaden the political lineup into a larger framework that could attract voters from the center and the moderate right.
Gantz’s camp says it is not currently looking for one specific rescue candidate, while Shchimi’s side wants to build a multi-party platform that would bring in several players at once. One of the names discussed is former communications minister Yoaz Hendel, but he is now on active reserve duty, which makes regular meetings and quick political coordination difficult.
The report also cites a poll published this week in Israel Hayom and conducted by Dudi Chasid, which tested a three-way alliance including Prof. Yaron Zelicha. According to that survey, such a slate would win six seats and safely pass the electoral threshold.
