Gadi Eisenkot, head of the Yashar party, and Avigdor Liberman, head of Yisrael Beiteinu, are exploring the possibility of running together on a single ticket. Sources close to both men confirm they’re examining the option, but stress they’re also considering other proposals. The main consideration, they say, will be what’s best for the camp seeking to oust Netanyahu. The two are expected to meet this week.
Unlike the Bennett-Lapid merger, which stemmed from the personal distress of both men rather than strategic thinking for the benefit of the left-wing camp, sources close to Eisenkot emphasize that any future merger would be based solely on what’s good for the bloc.
Eisenkot claims to have never ruled out a merger—including with Liberman or even a comprehensive merger of several parties—but insists such a move must be decided close to the deadline for submitting party lists and based on data, namely polls and research, not as a political whim.
Sources close to both say there’s nothing new about this week’s meeting and that it likely won’t produce any announcement, since there’s still plenty of time until the elections and both parties are stable in terms of their ability to cross the electoral threshold—meaning there’s no risk of losing votes for the bloc if they run separately.