Gantz in advanced talks to form new centrist-right party

Blue and White chairman Benny Gantz and former Fire and Rescue commissioner Dadi Shmhi are in advanced talks to build a new party together, according to a Channel 12 report by Dafna Liel published Tuesday. The plan is for them to run on a single list in the next election, with former communications minister and Reservists Party leader Yoaz Hendel expected to play a central role in the leadership.

The emerging project is aimed at voters in the soft right and the political center, as the Israeli system prepares for the next election. The report says the alliance could attract voters looking for a statesmanlike line combined with clear security and civic positions.

Gantz’s party did not deny that the talks are taking place. In an official response, Blue and White said Gantz has been speaking with many political leaders who support ending boycotts and the bloc war, with the goal of forming, after the election, a broad Zionist government without extremists.

The statement named Shmhi, Moshe Kahlon, Yoaz Hendel, Aliza Bloch, Yuli Edelstein, Yaron Zelekha, the Al Hadgel movement, reservist movements, and mayors from the north and south as only some of the figures Gantz is in contact with. Gantz recently told Kikar HaShabbat that he opposes hatred toward ultra-Orthodox Jews, wants their leadership to be part of the broader public, and will not give up sanctions against draft evaders.