Dadi Simchi says he is forming a new political framework with Benny Gantz

Reserve Brig. Gen. (res.) Dadi Simchi said in an interview with Kan News on Friday that he and Benny Gantz are in advanced talks to create a new political framework. He said they want to bridge the two blocs in Israeli politics and present a different path, but stressed that no final decisions have been made yet.

Speaking on Kan’s "Half Day" program on Reshet Bet, Simchi said the two have been talking for months and have met many times. He added that they also approached Yoaz Hendel, met with Aliza Bloch, and held discussions with sitting Knesset members. Simchi said he received "good offers" from Likud but chose to continue with Gantz because he sees him as "a serious and quality person who sees Israel before everything." He said, "The contribution can be much greater in connecting the blocs than in strengthening one bloc or another."

Simchi said he does not see the current Arab parties as part of a future coalition, saying, "certainly not after October 7," though he does not rule out cooperation with any other party. He also said that if Benjamin Netanyahu conditions cooperation on running jointly with the Haredi parties, a significant political force would still allow him and his partners to influence the makeup of the government. "Even in Likud they understand that there can be no exemption from Haredi enlistment. We will not agree to sit in a government without Haredi enlistment," he said.

Asked about joining the opposing camp, Simchi said that if the "change bloc" wins a large majority, he would work to bring in additional parties to form a broad government. He said the goal is to connect the two blocs and that the public will decide who leads. On who would head the list, he said the plan is shared leadership. "Number 1 or number 2 is not relevant or critical if this is not a party running at this stage for the premiership. As I already stated, I am not coming to be number 5 or 6, I am coming to lead," he said.