Netanyahu calls for right-wing merger ahead of April elections

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is urging religious Zionist parties to run on a joint ticket in the April elections, saying divisions between right-wing parties will “result in a loss.”

During a meeting with senior party officials, Netanyahu says a merger of the Jewish Home, National Union and Otzma Yehudit parties could “save 6 of 7 seats” in the upcoming elections,” according to a Likud statement.

Netanyahu says that a divided right-wing “will definitely result in an election loss.”

Recent polls have shown a joint Jewish Home-National Union ticket hovering just above the electoral threshold of 3.25 percent of the national vote. However, surveys show two independent runs would see both parties fail to garner enough support to enter the Knesset unless they find other factions to join up with.

However, unity talks between the Jewish Home and the National Union hit a “dead end” Saturday evening, according to officials from both parties.