Jerusalem, April 27, 2026 Bennett and Lapid form Together party to challenge Netanyahu

Israeli political rivals Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid announced the formation of a new party, "Together," on April 27, 2026, in a bid to unseat Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the upcoming election.

A Unified Front Against Netanyahu

The new party, led by Bennett, marks a significant consolidation of opposition forces aiming to end Netanyahu's decades-long dominance in Israeli politics. The two leaders framed their alliance as a necessary step to redirect the country's trajectory.

"We are standing here together for the sake of our children. The State of Israel must change direction," Lapid said during the announcement. Bennett echoed the sentiment, declaring, "After 30 years it is time to part with Netanyahu and open a new chapter for Israel."

The partnership is not unprecedented. Bennett and Lapid previously joined forces during the 2021 election, successfully ousting Netanyahu after his 12-year tenure and forming a coalition government. However, that government lasted only 18 months before collapsing, paving the way for Netanyahu's return to power.

History of Collaboration and Challenges

The 2021 coalition between Bennett and Lapid was a fragile alliance, bringing together ideologically diverse factions, including centrists, right-wingers, and an Arab party, to form a majority. While it demonstrated the potential for unity against Netanyahu, its short lifespan highlighted the difficulties of maintaining such a broad coalition.