Gantz and Erdan Explore Joint Knesset Run as Parties Trail Threshold

Benny Gantz's Blue and White and Gilad Erdan's Unity Party have opened exploratory contacts about a possible joint Knesset run. The discussions began in recent days as polling showed both parties struggling to cross the electoral threshold, but no agreement has been reached. Erdan's camp described the contact as an initial examination and said substantive negotiations had not begun, while remaining open to alliances consistent with the party's principles. Blue and White said it is speaking with parties that share its goal of forming a broad Zionist government; Gantz also retains about NIS 16 million in party-financing funds from the previous election.