Former Israeli PMs Bennett and Lapid Form Alliance to Challenge Netanyahu

Former Israeli prime ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid have formed a joint political alliance to challenge Benjamin Netanyahu ^[1].

This unification marks a significant shift in the Israeli political landscape by consolidating a fragmented opposition. By merging their support bases, the two former leaders aim to create a viable alternative to the current administration before the next parliamentary vote.

The alliance, announced in April 2026 ^[3], is referred to as "Together," "Yachad," or "Beyachad" [1, 2, 3]. The move comes as both leaders seek to mobilize voters who are dissatisfied with the long-term leadership of Netanyahu. The joint party is designed to serve as a broad coalition capable of securing a majority in the Knesset.

The strategic timing of the announcement aligns with the lead-up to the parliamentary elections scheduled for October 2026 [1, 3]. In Jerusalem, the leaders have emphasized the need for a unified front to ensure a change in government ^[5].

Bennett and Lapid previously led a coalition together, and this new party represents a formalization of that partnership for the 2026 cycle [1, 4]. The alliance intends to bridge gaps between various opposition factions, a move seen as essential for overcoming the electoral hurdles that have previously kept Netanyahu in power [2, 4].

While the specific policy platform of the "Together" party is still being finalized, the primary objective remains the removal of Netanyahu from office [1, 2]. The leaders said the alliance is the only way to provide a stable and cohesive alternative to the current government [4, 5].