Huldai says he isn’t quitting, calls for center-left party mergers

Ron Huldai, head of the new The Israelis party, which lost its No. 2 when Avi Nissenkorn announced his departure from politics today, says he is not quitting the Knesset race despite a consistently poor showing in opinion polls.

In a press statement, Huldai says he was “saddened” by Nissenkorn stepping down, but adds he will “focus on replacing Netanyahu and regrouping the center-left.”

“The reality of the last few days taught me a lesson: Don’t revel in flattering polls,” says Huldai, who was predicted to get up to eight Knesset seats mere weeks ago.

“My life’s mission is to replace the leadership” of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Huldai says. “I am speaking to everyone. We cannot take the risk of running in parties that could end up below the electoral threshold. We have only one way to win: Together.”