While she is interested in one larger list, Ayelet Shaked announced the Yemina list is going to split up as this was the agreement signed by the parties, insisting the unity was simply a ‘technical bloc’ for the election, and not to remain a single party in Knesset.

In her notification to party loyalists, Shaked explained on Wednesday evening that “we fought like lions”, seemingly trying to explain the election disappointment, as the party did not receive double-digit results as hoped would be the case.

She explained the three parties set out as a united front some two months ago, hoping to work together towards saving Eretz Yisrael, as she put it.

She admitted the results were less than hoped for, but she stressed “We maintain out strength despite all the odds. There is no one in the political arena that didn’t work to wipe us off the political map, referring to those outside the camp, and even some from within. It is unfortunate that common scene did not overcome human weakness. Now, we must maintain our unity and act with determination to establish a victorious right-wing government”.

“I think Yemina is an important list with an important mission and it is not secret that I hoped that we would continue to function as one list, but my partners wanted us to keep the agreement and the agreement must be respected. Nevertheless, we will of course continue to work together for all the values we believe in”.

Following the election, the Yemina party sent an official letter to the Knesset Speaker to inform him the list was going to split up. The letter was signed by Naftali Bennet of the New Right party, Rafi Peretz of Bayit Yehudi and Betzalel Smotrich of Ichud Leumi.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)