Another split on the way? Dedi Simchi considers leaving Gantz if offered a safe spot in Likud

Dedi Simchi, number 2 on Gantz's list, is considering leaving the partnership if offered a safe spot in Likud. Simchi made clear to Gantz that he intends to join the political arena even if not through 'Blue and White'. He aspires to unite with additional center parties, including Yoaz Hendel, and calls for connecting the blocs to prevent a narrow government.

Dedi Simchi, former fire commissioner and bereaved father, who was added as candidate number 2 to Benny Gantz's list ahead of the upcoming elections, is considering leaving the partnership if offered a safe spot in Likud. This was reported this evening on Kan News. Simchi made clear to Gantz that he intends to join the political arena even if it means doing so not through 'Blue and White'. These remarks come against the backdrop of weak poll numbers for Gantz's party, which still does not pass the electoral threshold and has not joined with other parties. About a month ago, Simchi said on the 'Kobanovich' program on Kan News about the union with Gantz: 'When everything is closed, we will go out to the public with a proper announcement.' He added that he aspires to bring in more people, including Yoaz Hendel, and that 'we are truly building here the bloc of Israel and will change this whole stupid paradigm of bloc A and bloc B.' In the panel 'New Players in Politics', he addressed Yuli Edelstein and Gilad Erdan: 'A narrow government - no matter from which side - is the recipe for the next disaster.' He emphasized that he does not aspire to lead a party that will help form a narrow government: 'We are not 61 for side A or B. We will take both, with a reasonable assumption that we will get significant power, we will connect between them.'