Naftali Bennett (left) and Yair Lapid pictured during a meeting in Jerusalem in 2022. They have united in a bid to oust Benjamin Netanyahu at the next election. (Photo / AFP
Naftali Bennett (left) and Yair Lapid pictured during a meeting in Jerusalem in 2022. They have united in a bid to oust Benjamin Netanyahu at the next election. (Photo / AFP
Two of Israel’s most prominent Opposition figures have formally united against Benjamin Netanyahu for the upcoming general election.
The pact between Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid increases the chances that the veteran Prime Minister will be ousted this year.
The agreement will see the parties of the two political heavyweightsformally merge under a new banner, “Together”, with Bennett as leader.
Both previously served as prime minister under a rotating agreement as part of a coalition formed in 2021. However, the coalition fractured, leading to elections that brought Netanyahu back to power after 18 months.
Netanyahu has otherwise served continuously as Prime Minister since 2009, having also led an Administration for three years in the 1990s.
Despite the show of unity, Bennett and Lapid have stark ideological differences.
Bennett is an orthodox Jew with hard-line views toward the Palestinians, whereas Lapid is secular and is seen as more moderate. Both have broadly supported Israel’s military endeavours under Netanyahu since October 7.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during the annual ceremony on the eve of Israel's Remembrance Day in Jerusalem on April 20. Photo / AFP
Their alliance is aimed at uniting a fragmented Opposition that appears to have little in common beyond their shared hostility toward Netanyahu.
Both have repeatedly criticised Netanyahu over alleged corruption. He is currently on trial for bribery, fraud and breach of trust – all of which he denies.
A spokesman for Bennett said: “This move unites the ‘reform bloc’, puts an end to internal infighting, and allows for all efforts to be invested toward a decisive victory in the upcoming elections and to lead Israel toward the necessary reform.”
A poll last week indicated that Netanyahu had slumped to neck-and-neck with Bennett for the first time since summer 2025.
Elections must be held by the end of October. Netanyahu has indicated that he will not call them early.
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