Israeli Political Parties Finalize Slates and Alliances Ahead of Election Deadline

Israeli political parties are finalizing their candidate lists as the Tuesday deadline for the October 27 elections approaches. Naftali Bennett announced the candidate slate for his B'Yachad party, which is an alliance with Yair Lapid's Yesh Atid. Bennett will hold the top spot, followed by Lapid. The list includes women who served as senior civil servants, such as Keren Terner and Liran Avisar Ben Horin, as well as 23 year old Yonathan Shalev and nine active reservists. Bennett described the team as the most effective list in a generation and necessary to repair the state.

Simultaneously, the Zionist Home merger party is disbanding two months after its July formation. Centrist former ministers Chili Tropper and Yoaz Hendel announced they will no longer run together. Tropper and Shira Shapira are expected to join Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar party. Eisenkot also announced that Israel Prize laureate Adi Altschuler is joining his slate, noting that he intends to reserve the Education Ministry portfolio for her.

While some parties are consolidating, others are considering further alliances. Reports indicate that a last minute merger between Eisenkot's Yashar and Bennett's B'Yachad has not been ruled out, although some analysis suggests such a move is unlikely due to polling data. Meanwhile, Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly consolidating his own bloc through new alliances.