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'

Responding to Rafi Peretz suggesting that gay marriages aren't natural, mayors of three cities instruct schools to open Sunday's classes with lesson on acceptance of the other

Rafi Preretz also defends partnership with extreme-right politician Itamar Ben Gvir, saying he's 'a very soft person, relaxed, humane and considerate. He's mellowed'

But left-wing party reportedly doesn't expect MK to accept offer to return to Democratic Camp alliance in coming elections

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

Meretz chairman Nitzan Horowitz and Democratic Choice head Yair Golan agree to keep same positions on joint slate, but Green Party leader Stav Shaffir noticeably absent

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

Democratic Camp lawmaker says she'll agree to drop from second to third place if it means three-party merger is maintained for coming elections