The Battle for the Third Bloc: Parties and Gaps

Four parties dubbed the 'third bloc' are vying to enter the next Knesset, with an estimated 6-10 seats. Gantz's Blue and White, the Zionist Millennial Home of Tropper and Hendel, the Ardan-Edelstein party, and Sharen Haskel's Israel First differ in their stance on a unity government, the draft law, and cooperation with other blocs. According to polls, only one passes the electoral threshold.

Four parties dubbed the 'third bloc' intend to run in the upcoming elections and try to pass the electoral threshold. These are Blue and White led by Benny Gantz, the Zionist Millennial Home of Hili Tropper and Yoaz Hendel, a new party led by Gilad Ardan and Yuli Edelstein, and Israel First of Sharen Haskel. According to estimates and polls, the bloc has between 6 and 10 seats, but only one party passes the threshold at times. The parties differ in their attitude toward a unity government: Gantz will declare an intention to impose a 'broad Zionist unity government' without extremists, and will not give the 61st finger to Netanyahu or the opposing bloc. Tropper does not rule out completing 61 for the opposition bloc. Ardan and Edelstein are establishing a party aimed at imposing a unity government that will approve a draft law, and they rule out the Democrats and Yair Golan. Haskel is establishing Israel First to approve a draft law and impose a broad Zionist government. The Likud attacked Ardan and Edelstein and called them 'bitter fake right-wingers'. Ayelet Shaked has not yet announced whether she will return to politics, but contacts are underway for a union with Gantz.

The Battle for the Third Bloc: Parties and Gaps