A possible merger of Likud and Habayit Hayehudi parties, which is seen as a likely political scenario, is alarming the Zionist Camp, as such a move is expected to clinch the right wing’s election victory.

“Everyone believes such a merger will determine the election outcome. [Likud leader Benjamin] Netanyahu would head a party of 40 Knesset seats, while [Labor head Isaac] Herzog would hardly get 30. That would mean a clear victory,” a senior Likud source said Wednesday.

“I hear rumors of a merger between [Habayit Hayehudi head Naftali] Bennett and Bibi [Netanyahu]. This will finally bring it home to everyone that Bibi and Bennett and [Orit] Strock are one and the same,” Herzog said Wednesday.

“Such a merger will make the elections very clear-cut – either the Zionist Camp or the extreme right,” he said.

However, Labor sources said the party is keeping a low profile until the lists are submitted next Thursday to underscore its apparent advantage over Likud in the polls, for fear it would spur Likud to join with Bennett. This is also why the Zionist Camp hasn’t launched its election campaign yet.

The joint Zionist Camp list, with Tzipi Livni’s candidates in reserved slots, will be presented to Labor’s convention members on Sunday.

The parties have until Thursday to submit their final tickets for the March elections.

Read the article in full at Haaretz.