Ex-Israeli PMs Bennett, Lapid unite to challenge Netanyahu

Two former Israeli prime ministers, Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, have announced the merger of their political forces and the creation of a new party that could challenge Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud in the upcoming elections, Bloomberg reports.

The new political entity, named Together, will be led by Bennett, who was once associated with the settler movement but has in recent years shifted toward more centrist positions, particularly on domestic issues.

Although he left politics after his defeat to Netanyahu in 2022, he remains one of the strongest potential challengers to the incumbent prime minister, according to opinion polls.

Yair Lapid, a centrist politician who leads the opposition through the Yesh Atid party, previously formed a coalition government with Bennett in 2021 that briefly removed Netanyahu from power before collapsing just over a year later.

Netanyahu has formed the most right-wing and religiously oriented government in Israel’s history, pursuing policies that critics describe as populist and socially divisive.

In a joint statement, Bennett and Lapid said the creation of the party marks “the first step toward healing the State of Israel” and aims to unite the so-called “reform bloc,” end internal political conflict, and secure electoral victory.

“This step unites the 'reform block,' puts an end to internal fighting, and allows all efforts to be directed toward achieving a decisive victory in the upcoming elections and leading Israel toward necessary reforms,” the statement said.

Previously, the two politicians had an agreement to rotate the prime ministership, but this arrangement is not included in the new political framework.

Recent polls indicate that Bennett and Netanyahu enjoy comparable levels of support. Combined with Lapid’s electoral base, the new political force could become the largest in parliament and potentially form a governing coalition.

Weekend polling also suggested that the opposition bloc, excluding Arab-Israeli parties, could secure 60 to 61 seats in the 120-member Knesset — enough to form a government.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov