Israeli media report that gaps between Yoaz Hendel and Benny Gantz's camp remain wide, and Hendel is not expected to join the emerging joint party led by Gantz and Dedi Smakhi. The development follows earlier speculation about a united centrist slate.
Israeli media reports, citing unnamed political sources, now confirm that gaps between Yoaz Hendel and the emerging Gantz-Smakhi framework remain wide, and Hendel is not expected to join the new party. This follows a series of developments reported by The Zioneer earlier today (Sunday, July 5). At 12:16 Jerusalem, the first report of a collapse in talks surfaced, followed by a report that the merger was shelved over Hendel's demand for a commitment against entering a narrow government with Haredi or Arab parties, and then a report that Hendel is now expected to run with Tropper on a separate slate. The current confirmation consolidates the earlier reports, indicating that the negotiations have definitively failed, leaving the center-left bloc further fragmented ahead of the next election.
Earlier today at 12:16 Jerusalem, The Zioneer first reported that negotiations between Benny Gantz, Dedi Smakhi, and Yoaz Hendel had collapsed, based on a report by Amit Segal (N12). Minutes later, a second report by Shirit Avitan Cohen (Israel Hayom) provided specific context: Hendel had demanded a commitment not to enter a narrow government with Haredi or Arab parties, and Gantz's team refused. A third report, also at 12:16 Jerusalem, stated that Hendel would run alongside former Knesset member Hili Tropper on a separate slate. The source quality evolved from a single political correspondent (Segal) to a second newsroom (Israel Hayom), and now multiple outlets corroborate the failure, though all remain based on unnamed political sources.
As The Zioneer reported on Tuesday, June 23, Gantz and Smakhi were initially planning a new united party, and Hendel was expected to join as part of the leadership. That earlier report framed the potential unification of centrist forces, but the current developments show that unity has not been achieved.
All reports remain attributed to unnamed political sources. No official confirmation has been issued by Hendel, Gantz, or Smakhi. The specific reasons cited in earlier reports — the Haredi coalition dispute — have not been independently confirmed by the parties themselves, and the possibility of renewed talks has not been ruled out.
5 developments
- DevelopingGantz, Dedi Smakhi reportedly planning new united party — Yoaz Hendel may join leadership
- DevelopingAmit Segal reports Gantz-Smakhi party will have co-leadership, Hendel in 3rd spot
- DevelopingZelicha reportedly nearing electoral partnership with Gantz or Smakhi; Hendel option recedes
- DevelopingN12 poll shows Gantz-Smakhi-Hendel bloc adds momentum, clears threshold as coalition talks loom
Source and signal
- Internal intake