2 former Israeli PMs unite to oppose Netanyahu:Naftali Bennett, Yair Lapid plan party merger, repeat 2021 alliance that ousted Netanyahu

Former Israeli Prime Ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid have decided to jointly contest against current PM Benjamin Netanyahu. Their aim is to remove Netanyahu, who has been in power for a long time. Both had earlier come together in 2021 as well, when they united ideologically different parties and ended Netanyahu’s 12-year rule. Now, the two leaders have once again agreed to join forces. They have decided to merge their respective parties and form a new political party, which will be led by Bennett. Israel’s next elections are scheduled for October 2027, but it is believed that Netanyahu may dissolve the parliament and call early elections this year. In 2022, the coalition government collapsed Under the 2021 agreement, Naftali Bennett first became Prime Minister, and later Yair Lapid was to take over the role. However, the government was based on a very narrow majority. It included right-wing, left-wing, centrist, and an Arab party. Due to sharply different ideologies among these parties, there were frequent clashes over issues such as security, Palestine, and settlements. Eventually, the situation became such that running the government became very difficult. Bennett and Lapid then decided to dissolve the parliament and call for new elections. Benjamin Netanyahu won the election and returned to power. Since then, Lapid has been the leader of the opposition, while Bennett has stayed away from politics for some time. Lapid’s party says the aim of this move is to unite the opposition, end internal disputes, and focus fully on winning the upcoming crucial elections. Sharp ideological differences between Bennett and Lapid Naftali Bennett is seen as a hardline Jewish nationalist leader who has long been associated with right-wing politics. He holds a strict position on the Israel–Palestine issue. He strongly supports Jewish settlements in the West Bank and has opposed the idea of a Palestinian state. His core belief is that Israel’s security must come first, and no compromises should be made on this matter. In contrast, Yair Lapid is viewed as a secular and liberal leader. His approach to politics is more pragmatic and balanced. He is popular among urban middle-class voters, professionals, and those with more liberal views. Why the Bennett–Lapid alliance matters for both leaders For Yair Lapid, the alliance is considered very important. His party, Yesh Atid, is currently the largest opposition party with 24 seats in parliament. However, recent surveys suggest it could drop to just 5 seats in the next election. Joining forces with Bennett could help him strengthen his political position. For Naftali Bennett, the alliance is also necessary. Experts believe that the entry of former Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot has changed the political balance. Eisenkot’s strong image and popularity have been attracting voters from Bennett’s base. According to analysts, voters who prioritise security and military experience are shifting towards Eisenkot. This has left Bennett with limited options, pushing him closer to Lapid. The alliance also brings financial benefits. In Israel, party funding is based on the number of parliamentary seats. Bennett’s party would receive around 11 million shekels, while Lapid’s party would get about 27 million shekels due to their larger seat share. Can this alliance defeat Netanyahu? Israel’s parliament has 120 seats. Some polls suggest that if Bennett, Lapid, and Eisenkot contest together, they could win around 38 seats and become the largest bloc. However, this would not dramatically change the overall balance of power. Experts say the biggest impact of this alliance may be psychological. A united opposition could encourage more voters to turn out, believing they have a strong alternative. According to The Times of Israel, the key factor remains Gadi Eisenkot. If he joins the alliance, the opposition could become stronger. But if he runs separately, he may attract right-wing voters who are unlikely to support Lapid. ​