Two of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's biggest political rivals, Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, have announced they are joining forces to challenge his coalition government in the upcoming election expected later this year.
The former prime ministers revealed on Sunday that their parties, Bennett 2026 and There is a Future, will merge under a new banner called Together, with Bennett as leader.
According to Al Jazeera, Bennett described the move as "the most Zionist and patriotic step we have ever taken for our country." Lapid added: "Bennett is a right-wing politician, but an honest one, and there is trust between us." He emphasized that the alliance aims to "unite the bloc, put an end to internal divisions, and focus all efforts on winning the critical upcoming elections and leading Israel forward into the future."
Criticism of Netanyahu's Leadership
Both Bennett and Lapid have been vocal critics of Netanyahu's handling of national security since the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023. Bennett pledged to establish a national commission of inquiry into what he calls failures leading up to the attack, a move rejected by Netanyahu's government. Lapid has also condemned Netanyahu's ceasefire deal with Iran, calling it a "political disaster."
This is not the first time Bennett and Lapid have joined forces. In 2021, they ended Netanyahu's 12-year tenure by forming a coalition government that lasted 18 months. They also previously entered his 2013 coalition, sidelining his ultra-Orthodox allies.
Netanyahu's Current Position
Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving prime minister, returned to power after winning the November 2022 election, forming the most right-wing government in Israel's history. However, his credibility has been weakened since the October 2023 Hamas attack, with polls predicting losses in the next election due by the end of October.
Recent surveys show Bennett gaining ground. An April 23 poll by Israel's N12 News found Bennett's party securing 21 seats in the 120-member Knesset, compared to 25 for Netanyahu's Likud. Lapid's party, however, dropped to seven seats from its current 24. Academic and media polls consistently place Bennett as Netanyahu's strongest challenger.
Profiles of the Leaders
- Naftali Bennett (54): Former army commando turned tech millionaire, representing Israel's right-wing bloc.
- Yair Lapid (62): Former TV news anchor, representing Israel's secular middle class, which has grown frustrated with tax and military service burdens.
The Bennett-Lapid alliance marks a significant attempt to consolidate opposition forces against Netanyahu. With elections looming, their success will depend on whether they can maintain unity and appeal to a broad spectrum of Israeli voters.
