JERUSALEM (AP) — Two prominent Israeli political figures announced on Sunday that they would combine their efforts in the forthcoming elections, aiming to unseat the long-serving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Alliance Announced
Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, who previously served as prime ministers in a rotation agreement as part of a coalition government formed in 2021, plan to merge their parties into a single faction headed by Bennett. Lapid's Yesh Atid party stated, "The move is intended to unite the bloc, put an end to internal divisions and focus all efforts on winning the critical upcoming elections." A joint news conference was scheduled for later on Sunday.
Background of the Coalition
The 2021 coalition agreement ended 12 years of Netanyahu's rule. Bennett served as prime minister for the first year until the coalition fractured. Lapid then held the position as caretaker prime minister for the final six months, until new elections brought Netanyahu back to power. Since then, Lapid has been Israel's opposition leader, while Bennett took a break from politics.
Ideological Differences and Common Goal
Despite their ideological differences—Bennett is an Orthodox Jew with hard-line views toward the Palestinians, while Lapid is secular and seen as more moderate—the two enjoyed a close working relationship during their short-lived coalition. Their alliance aims to unite a fragmented opposition that appears to share little beyond a common hostility toward Netanyahu.
