Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman are set to announce the unification of their Likud and Yisrael Beiteinu into one party for the upcoming elections.
According to The Jerusalem Post, a Likud spokesman confirmed talks on a technical merger between the two parties had taken place but did not confirm that an agreement was reached. Netanyahu and Lieberman are scheduled to hold a press conference later on Thursday, in which they are expected to announce the union.
Israel’s Channel 2 says the joint Knesset list will be called "The Likud-Beyteinu". Netanyahu is expected to get the first spot, while Lieberman could obtain the second. It also reported that the union is designed to allow Likud and Israel Beyteinu to create a large right-wing bloc that could ensure an election win.
