Thirty factions register to run in third straight election, matching September total, though roster features a few newcomers as some small niche parties bow out

Bristling with excitement over merger despite earlier misgivings over alliance with leftist faction, Amir Peretz says parties have more in common than not

'We're not timing anything based on domestic politics' of the two sides, says Robert O'Brien, confirming Israeli reports that Trump administration may release proposal within weeks

Amir Peretz will lead new left-wing alliance, followed by Gesher's Orly Levy-Abekasis and Meretz's Nitzan Horowitz; Green Party's Stav Shaffir left out

Negotiations come as polls show parties hovering at between 4 and 6 Knesset seats each, in danger of falling below 3.25% threshold

Sources say that while union seems unlikely, two have agreed to continue dialog 'in order to discuss all options on the table'

As PM looks to grow size of his bloc, news site says his party has conducted polls to see how a unity list would fare in March 2 vote; Bennett, Smotrich discuss joint run

Gantz, who is seeking to convert Likud voters, instead urges Peretz to join his party to the left-wing Democratic Camp

Amir Peretz, who resisted joining forces with Democratic Camp in the past, calls proposal a test of Benny Gantz's commitment to deposing Netanyahu

Sephardic leader also claims his filmed comments calling some former Soviet Union 'religion-hating gentiles' were 'distorted by politically interested sources'