Simchi Confirms Finalized Joint Run With Gantz, Open to Sitting With Haredi Parties

Former Fire and Rescue Commissioner Brig. Gen. (res.) Dedi Simchi declared on Army Radio (Galei Tzahal) on Sunday that his political alliance with Benny Gantz's Blue and White party has been finalized, ending weeks of speculation about a centrist merger. Simchi indicated the emerging alliance 'would sit with anyone but Arab parties,' positioning it as a Zionist-only opposition vehicle that could potentially cooperate with a Netanyahu-led government if no anti-Netanyahu bloc forms. Polling suggests the combined Blue and White, Reservists and Simchi slate would win roughly 5 to 7 Knesset seats, comfortably crossing the 3.25 percent electoral threshold. Yoaz Hendel's Reservists party remains in talks, though Hendel opposes Simchi's openness to sitting with the haredi parties, leaving a three-way merger uncertain. The announcement reshuffles the centrist field as parties scramble to lock in slates before the August 4 primaries deadline.