When the Knesset on Wednesday night voted to dissolve the 21st Knesset, which was elected on April 9, 2019, it marked the first time that the State of Israel will hold another Knesset election in such proximity to one another, with Election Day for 22nd Knesset set for September 17, 2019, coinciding with 17 Elul 5779.

The Kulanu party, which is headed by Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon, has already announced it will be teaming with Likud in return for receiving guaranteed slots in the Likud lineup. The Likud secretariat has already approved the merger.

Bayit Yehudi, headed by MK Rabbi Rafi Peretz, has announced it is not changing its lineup, which will mimic the list from the previous election.

On Wednesday, addressing a women’s conference in Petach Tikvah, Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked announced she is returning to politics and will run on one of the lists. Rumors have been flying regarding Shaked, whose popularity makes her a serious political asset. It is rumored that she is going to make the move to Likud in return for a guaranteed slot high up on the Likud list. Earlier in the week, it was rumored she was going to team up with Avigdor Lieberman’s Yisrael Beitenu party, but Shaked has already dispelled the rumor. Election polls this week show that with Shaked on board, Likud would reach 40 seats, five more than it has today. Another poll showed that if she teamed with Lieberman, his party would go from its current five seats to ten.

Bennet met on Wednesday with Shaked, her co-chairman of the New Right party which failed to earn enough votes to enter Knesset in the last election. They were short 1400 votes to meet the minimum election threshold to earn four seats in Knesset. The two reportedly discussed Shaked’s future and her intentions for the upcoming race.

In the meantime, Minister of Labor & Welfare (Likud) Chaim Katz states, “We must convene the Likud Central Committee towards approving the merger with the Kulanu party. In addition, at the same time, we should bring Ayelet Shaked into Likud. She is suited and brings an electoral force that will strengthen Likud”.

Petitions against the legality of the merger decision, which was passed by the Likud secretariat, were submitted to the party’s court.

Minister Katz intends to meet with the prime minister and coordinate a date agreed upon for the Central Committee to convene.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)