Adelstein and Shaked in advanced talks to form new centrist party

Senior Israeli politicians Gideon Adelstein and Ayelet Shaked are engaged in advanced negotiations to establish a new political party, according to reports. The move comes following Adelstein’s recent announcement that he is leaving the Likud party, and represents a significant shake-up in Israel’s political landscape as various factions seek to reposition themselves ahead of potential elections.

The proposed party would compete directly against a potential alliance between Benny Gantz and Dedi Shomrat, who are positioning themselves around a centrist message of governance without Arab or ultra-Orthodox coalition partners. The Adelstein-Shaked grouping is hoping to attract Gilad Erdan, who has not yet made a final decision on his political future, and has already held meetings with rabbinical figures from the Religious Zionist movement.

The negotiations represent a critical juncture in Israeli politics, with multiple centrist and centre-right players attempting to carve out distinct political identities and claim the centre ground of Israeli politics. The question of whether former finance minister Moshe Kahlon might stage a political comeback remains unresolved, potentially further fragmenting the centre-right vote.

Source: Ynet — Original article in Hebrew.