Full Breakdown
Former Prime Ministers Bennett and Lapid Unite Under “Together” to Challenge Netanyahu
4/27/2026, 2:15:21 AM
Formation of “Together”
On Sunday night, former prime ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid unveiled the “Together” bloc, merging Bennett’s Bennett 2026 party with Lapid’s Yesh Atid (branded “There is a Future”). Bennett will lead the alliance, which aims to unseat Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the upcoming Knesset election.
Political Background
The Bennett-Lapid partnership first emerged after the 2021 elections, forming a coalition that placed Bennett and later Lapid in the premiership for 18 months before dissolving. Netanyahu’s Likud returned to power in the November 2022 vote and has governed a full term since.
Policy Platform
The bloc proposes a state commission to examine the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, a policy backed by over 60 % of Israelis. It also calls for universal conscription, drafting ultra-Orthodox men, and reforms of crime, living costs, and education.
Polling Projections
N12 News (23 April) projects Bennett 2026 at 21 seats, Likud at 25, and Lapid’s party at seven, down from 24. Channel 14’s internal poll forecasts the Netanyahu bloc at 64 seats (Likud 34) and the “Together” alliance at 20.
Conflicting Polls
The two surveys diverge: N12 places Likud at 25 seats, while Channel 14 suggests the broader Netanyahu bloc could hold 64 seats. The gap highlights uncertainty over the alliance’s prospects and the reliability of recent polling.
Official Statements
Bennett described the merger as a daring step, pledging a national commission of inquiry, universal conscription, and promising “surprises ahead,” while noting “who dares wins.” Lapid emphasized mutual trust, the need for a government without Netanyahu, and called the vote existential for Israel. Netanyahu’s camp has not issued a formal reply.
Criticism
Critics note recent defections of Bennett’s MKs to Netanyahu’s bloc and Channel 14’s modest seat projection as signs the alliance may fail to secure a Zionist majority. Skeptics also question the feasibility of universal conscription amid entrenched exemptions.
Verbatim Quotes
- “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,” — Naftali Bennett, Alliance leader
- “Bennett is a right-wing politician, but an honest one, and there is trust between us.” — Yair Lapid, Former prime minister
- “But remember one thing: This thing that you’re feeling right now, that you haven’t felt for a long time, is called hope.” — Yair Lapid, Former prime minister
- “Who dares wins.” — Naftali Bennett, Alliance leader
Election Timeline
The next Knesset election is set for the end of October 2026. Bennett and Lapid say additional candidates and possible new alliances will be announced in the coming weeks, making the final opposition composition a key factor in the race.
