Right-Wing Parties Negotiate Merger as Smotrich Courts Avishai Ben Haim for Knesset List

Benny Gantz and Dedi Simchi are engaged in advanced negotiations to merge with Yuli Edelstein and Ayelet Shaked, according to a report on Tuesday evening by Kan News. Over the past two weeks, the two groups have held at least three meetings but have yet to finalize an agreement. The main sticking point remains the party leadership, alongside disagreements over the party-building mechanism, veto rights, control, and the preferred government after the elections.

In parallel, the Religious Zionism party is considering reserving a Knesset list spot for Dr. Avishai Ben Haim. Party chairman Bezalel Smotrich aims to diversify the list by securing a place for a moderate Mizrahi or religious figure, ideally second on the list, to attract religious-nationalist voters who might otherwise support opposition bloc parties. Ben Haim stated that this is "not currently on the table," while the party emphasized that the list will be diverse and continue broad activity across various fields.

Additionally, the report touched on political maneuvers ahead of the elections, noting that Netanyahu is expected to distance himself from ultra-Orthodox parties, while Avigdor Lieberman urged leaders of the opposition bloc to prepare for their turn to lead the government.