Gantz, Shmihi, and Hendel in advanced talks over joint election run

Negotiations are at an advanced stage between Blue and White chairman Benny Gantz, retired major general and former Fire and Rescue Commissioner Dadi Shmhi, and former communications minister Yoaz Hendel over a joint run in the next Knesset election. According to a report published Wednesday by Walla, the sides are working on a basic agreement for a new list, with Gantz and Shmhi expected to lead it together.

Under the emerging plan, both names would appear on the ballot, with Benny Gantz listed first. Each of the two main camps would receive five spots in the top 10, with Gantz placed first, Dadi Shmihi second, and Yoaz Hendel third.

Despite the progress on candidate placement, major ideological and political disagreements remain. One unresolved issue is the future coalition line. Hendel insists the list will not join a government relying on the ultra-Orthodox parties or the Arab parties. Shmhi has told close associates he wants greater political flexibility, although he also said an alliance with the Arab parties is not on the table.

Another major gap concerns military conscription. Hendel is demanding a commitment to promote a single draft law applying to all Israelis, without exemptions, special frameworks, or compromises with the ultra-Orthodox parties. To bridge the divide and avoid collapse of the talks, a proposal was raised to pass the draft law immediately after the election but before the new government is sworn in. The idea is to use the gap between the Knesset swearing-in and the months-long coalition talks to pass the law legislatively, and only after final approval, if the ultra-Orthodox parties accept its terms, would they be allowed to join the coalition.