There is much speculation among political analysts regarding a united centrist left-wing bloc in the upcoming Knesset elections, and this seems to have led to a major campaign effort to create just that ahead of elections for the 21st Knesset.

According to a report filed by political analyst Moti Tuchfeld in the Monday, January 28, 2019 edition of Yisrael Hayom, Benny Gantz is not in favor of such a move and is most unlikely to cooperate with those pushing the united bloc agenda.

One of the issues that would have to be resolved with such a union is who would lead it; Gantz, Yesh Atid chairman MK Yair Lapid, former PM/DM Ehud Barak, The Movement chairwoman MK Tzipi Livni, or Labor party chairman Avi Gabbai. Clearly a decision will not be easily achieved with the players mentioned and perhaps this alone is sufficient for Gantz to distance himself with talks of unity.

It is also reported that internal polls ordered by Chosen Yisrael, Gantz’s party, show that the inclusion of Labor party leader Gabbai weakens his party’s popularity, leaving a united centrist-left-wing bloc with fewer seats than the unity bloc without Gabbai. Simply stated, Gantz’s party’s poll shows that bringing the Labor party on board is detrimental to the number of mandates such a bloc would receive in the polls.

Tuchfeld reports the numbers were presented to Gantz and they have undoubtedly led to his decision to currently oppose the proposed united bloc to counter polls of Likud earning in the area of 30 seats.

Labor officials responded explaining, “We are a party with a heritage, and we are proud of our positions. The Labor party is the only one that battles against division and incitement, and it committed to address the cost of living, rebuilding the nation’s healthcare system which is collapsing, and we are the only ones committed to implementing change in Israel and we are proud of this”.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)