Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid form Together party for Israeli elections
Updated
Updated · The Jerusalem Post · Apr 26
Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid form Together party for Israeli elections
15 articles · Updated · The Jerusalem Post · Apr 26
The new party, led by Bennett, merges Lapid's Yesh Atid and Bennett 2026, with Gadi Eisenkot invited to join and the agreement signed Saturday evening.
The move aims to unify the opposition, with both leaders emphasizing ending internal divisions and focusing on electoral victory. Polls suggest Bennett leading the joint list increases their chances of winning.
Reactions from across the political spectrum range from support among opposition figures to criticism by Likud and right-wing ministers, who accuse the new bloc of lacking clear ideology and aligning with Islamist parties.
Can Naftali Bennett lead a centrist bloc without alienating his original right-wing voter base?
Is the 'Together' party a cure for a divided Israel or just another political power grab?
Will a popular war hero join the new alliance and reshape the entire upcoming election?
Their last government collapsed. Can Bennett and Lapid's second attempt at unity actually last this time?
With Arab parties uniting, can any new government be formed without their critical support?
Can the "New Israel" Alliance’s 38-Seat Lead Topple Netanyahu in Israel’s October 2026 Vote?
Overview
In April 2026, Gadi Eisenkot initiated talks to unite Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid into the 'New Israel' alliance, aiming to consolidate the anti-Netanyahu vote ahead of the October elections. The alliance plans regional primaries to select leadership, reflecting a push for democratic renewal. Polls show this bloc could become the largest faction with 38 seats, yet forming a government remains difficult as neither bloc reaches a majority without Arab party support. Bennett's post-October 7th rejection of Arab parties creates internal tensions and narrows coalition options. Combined with historical merger risks and Netanyahu's strong security-focused campaign, the election outcome remains highly uncertain amid ongoing political fragmentation.