Blue and White leader Benny Gantz and New Hope leader Gideon Sa'ar announced Sunday that they would run as political partners in the upcoming parliamentary elections.
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The Nov. 1 elections will be Israel's fifth in three years. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's coalition, which comprised eight parties from across the political spectrum, was in power for only one year before its some of its more hawkish members went rogue. Bennett thus lost his already minuscule majority in the Knesset and the government was crippled, prompting him to call early elections.
The announcement by Sa'ar and Gantz was the first shift in Israel's political landscape since the Knesset voted to dissolve itself on June 30.
Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid, who under Bennett was the foreign minister and prime minister-designate took over as caretaker PM until the elections.
Gantz, a former IDF chief of staff who is currently the defense minister, and Sa'ar – a former member of the once-dominant Likud party who broke ranks ahead of the 2021 elections and is currently the justice minister – held a special press conference on Sunday evening to announce they joint slate.
Gantz said the move seeks to provide voters with a strong centrist option to help end the country's protracted political crisis, adding they were "laying the foundation of the next government," while Sa'ar noted that they aim to break the political deadlock.
He said that Gantz was best suited to lead as prime minister, adding that "the political goal we should strive for following the elections in the formation of a broad national unity government that is not dependent upon the fringes."
Pursuing "a strong, responsible political force led by the dignified Right and defense-oriented Center will offer Israel a better and more correct path than any of its fringe elements can. This is the right thing – the responsible thing to do," Sa'ar asserted.
"From the moment I entered into politics, I have repeatedly said that we are at an illogical and unprecedented situation," Gantz said. "Israel deserves better," he exclaimed, pledging to establish a "responsible, realistic, secure and liberal government."
They vowed a Center-Right coalition led by Blue and White and New Hope will "say no to racism, no to extremism and yes to unity for all parts of the country and all types of citizens."
Israel's Prime Minister Yair Lapid welcomed news about the new union, tweeting, "I wish Benny Gantz and Gideon Sa'ar the best of luck. I'm convinced that your intentions are good. I look forward to continuing to work with you on behalf of the citizens of Israel."
Blue and White currently has eight Knesset seats to New Hope's six. Recent polls predict that Blue and White will retain its power but an independent bid by New Hope may see it drop to four seats, or fail to cross the electoral threshold altogether. A joint slate, however, could win as many as 14 mandates, which would potentially position the Gantz-Sa'ar slate as the third-largest faction in parliament after Likud and Yesh Atid.
According to available details, the deal between Gantz and Sa'ar will give Blue and White two-thirds of the finite number of seats, and New Hope one-third. Gantz will head the faction with Sa'ar as his No. 2.
Of the top 20 places on the slate Blue and White will control slots 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17, and 19, while New Hope will receive slots 5, 7, 10, 13, 16, 18, and 20.
Should former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot join the ticket, he will receive the third slot. Eizenkot, who has yet to announce whether he plans to take a political plunge, has emerged as the most sought-after newcomer in the coming elections.
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