Bennett and Lapid Unite Against Netanyahu

What's happened

On April 26-27, 2026, former Israeli prime ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid have merged their parties, Bennett 2026 and Yesh Atid, into a new alliance called Together. This coalition aims to challenge Benjamin Netanyahu in the upcoming elections by uniting the fragmented opposition and ending internal divisions.

What's behind the headline?

Strategic Alliance to Unseat Netanyahu

The merger of Bennett and Lapid's parties into Together represents a calculated effort to consolidate Israel's fragmented opposition ahead of the October 2026 elections. Despite ideological differences—Bennett's right-wing Orthodox stance versus Lapid's centrist secularism—their shared goal of removing Netanyahu unites them. This coalition mirrors the Hungarian centre-right model that successfully ousted Viktor Orbán, signaling a strategic blueprint for Israeli politics.

Netanyahu's Vulnerabilities

Netanyahu's recent prostate cancer surgery and the fallout from the October 2023 Hamas attack have weakened his security credentials and public standing. Bennett and Lapid are capitalizing on this by promising reforms and a national inquiry into perceived government failures. Their alliance will likely intensify scrutiny of Netanyahu's health and leadership.

Political Calculations and Risks

The coalition excludes Arab parties this time, with Bennett explicitly ruling out alliances that concede land to Palestinians, contrasting with their 2021 government that included the United Arab List. This shift aims to broaden appeal among Zionist voters but risks alienating Arab-Israeli constituents. The potential inclusion of Gadi Eisenkot, a former military chief, could strengthen the alliance's security credentials.

Forecast and Impact

Polls suggest the united opposition could surpass Netanyahu's Likud in Knesset seats, though the overall balance of power remains fluid. This alliance will likely reshape Israel's political landscape, forcing Netanyahu to respond to a more unified and strategically positioned opposition. The election outcome will significantly influence Israel's domestic policies and regional relations.

How we got here

Benjamin Netanyahu has dominated Israeli politics for over a decade, returning to power in 2022 with the most right-wing government in Israel's history. Bennett and Lapid previously ended Netanyahu's 12-year tenure in 2021 through a coalition government that lasted 18 months. Their new alliance revives this partnership to contest Netanyahu's leadership amid declining public confidence.

Our analysis

Peter Beaumont in The Guardian highlights the merger as a "rightwing-centrist super coalition" aiming to "open a new chapter for Israel," emphasizing the personal health issues of Netanyahu as a potential election factor. Al Jazeera provides detailed context on the alliance's formation, quoting Bennett calling the move "the most Zionist and patriotic step" and Lapid acknowledging their ideological differences but mutual trust. The New Arab focuses on the political history between the two leaders, noting their previous coalition that included Arab parties and their current decision to exclude them, with Bennett ruling out land concessions to Palestinians. The Times of Israel offers insight into the strategic calculations behind the merger, including the potential addition of Gadi Eisenkot and the coalition's goal to end infighting and focus on winning the election. The New York Times frames the merger as a message to end polarization, with Bennett calling it "the era of polarization is over" and Lapid describing Bennett as "a man of the liberal, decent, law-abiding right." These sources collectively illustrate a complex political maneuver aimed at unseating Netanyahu by uniting diverse opposition forces under a single banner.

Go deeper

What are the main goals of the new Together party?
How might Netanyahu's health affect the upcoming election?
Will Gadi Eisenkot join the Bennett-Lapid alliance?