Simchi Says Hendel-Gantz Talks Continue Despite Collapse Reports
Published
Dedi Simchi said in a same-day interview that he and Benny Gantz are in very advanced talks over a joint Knesset run, and that Yoaz Hendel remains in the conversation despite reports that the talks had blown up. Simchi said no agreement has been reached, but insisted there was no final rupture after speaking with Hendel. He framed the emerging list as a Zionist center-right bridge that will not boycott Haredi parties, while ruling out parties he said prioritize Palestinians over Israel. The update matters because threshold-level alliances can decide whether national-camp and center voters waste ballots or produce a broader, stable coalition.
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Sources
Difference in reporting
Sources factually differ on whether the Hendel-Gantz-Simchi track has collapsed. Walla reports Simchi's July 6 line that there was no blowup, that no agreement has been reached, and that talks with Hendel continue. Israel National News, Zman Israel, Behadrei Haredim and JDN report the talks collapsed, ended or moved toward final breakup over the Haredi-party coalition pledge. The agreed facts are uniform: no final agreement exists; the dispute centers on whether to rule out sitting with or relying on Haredi parties; Gantz, Simchi and Hendel were negotiating a joint run; and Hendel is examining other political partners. No other factual disagreements.
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