Former Israeli PMs Bennett, Lapid unite to challenge Netanyahu in elections

The two politicians’ alliance is aimed at uniting a fragmented opposition against current PM Benjamin Netanyahu.Two ⁠of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin ⁠Netanyahu’s biggest political rivals say they are joining forces in a bid to oust his coalition government in the upcoming election expected later this year.The former prime ministers – right-wing Naftali Bennett and centrist Yair ⁠Lapid – issued statements on Sunday announcing the merger of their parties, Bennett 2026 and There is a Future.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Israel says established a ‘yellow line’ in Lebanon, as it has in Gazalist 2 of 4Israeli ministers celebrate re-establishment of Sa-Nur West Bank settlementlist 3 of 4‘Israel never talked me into the war with Iran,’ Trump sayslist 4 of 4Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu says he received treatment for prostate cancerend of listTheir alliance is aimed at uniting a fragmented opposition that appears to have little in common beyond their shared hostility toward Netanyahu.Bennett’s office said the new party will be called Together, and that he will be its leader.“I am pleased to announce that tonight, together with my friend Yair Lapid, I am taking the most Zionist and patriotic step we have ever taken for our country,” Bennett said in a joint televised statement with Lapid.During the televised statement, Lapid said: “Bennett is a right-wing politician, but an honest one, and there is trust between us.”“This move is intended to unite the bloc, put an end to internal divisions, and focus all efforts on winning the critical upcoming elections – and leading Israel ⁠forward into the future,” Lapid also said.Bennett said that if elected, he would establish a national commission of inquiry into what he calls failures leading up to the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack – something the current Netanyahu government has rejected.Lapid and Bennett have been outspoken critics of Netanyahu’s handling of the country’s wars since that attack, with Lapid labeling the two-week ceasefire agreed with Iran a “political disaster”.Joining forces once againBennett and Lapid have joined forces before, putting an end to Netanyahu’s successive 12-year tenure in a 2021 election, only to form a coalition government that survived barely 18 months.