Minister Ami Ayalon is likely to join a new left-wing party in the process of being created, according to senior Meretz party officials quoted in Yediot Acharonot. Ayalon is expected to join the new party instead of Meretz, they said.

Ayalon has held talks with Meretz head Chaim Oron, but the two have not reached an agreement regarding Ayalon's inclusion in the Meretz list. Ayalon is leaving Labor, which is expected to lose several seats in the next elections.