Story perspectives

Bennett's “Together” List Vows 1 Million Immigrants, Draft Reform

4/30/2026

Summary

Story summary

Naftali Bennett announced a plan to absorb one million new immigrants over the next decade and, with Yair Lapid, created the ‘Together’ list, naming himself leader.
The list pledged a commission of inquiry into the October 7 Hamas attack and an end to ultra-Orthodox draft exemptions.
Polls gave the list 24-27 seats, below the 61 required for a government, while courting IDF chief Gadi Eisenkot could raise it to 41 seats.

History

Historical Context

After Likud’s Benjamin Netanyahu won the first direct prime-ministerial election in 1996, the right-wing coalition dominated until Ehud Barak created a centre-left government on 6 July 1999, bringing together Labor, Shas, United Torah Judaism and the immigrant-focused Yisrael BaAliyah. Barak’s cross-sectarian model is echoed today by the centrist “Together” list of Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, which seeks similar demographic and draft-exemption reforms.

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Story summary

Naftali Bennett announced a plan to absorb one million new immigrants over the next decade and, with Yair Lapid, created the ‘Together’ list, naming himself leader.
The list pledged a commission of inquiry into the October 7 Hamas attack and an end to ultra-Orthodox draft exemptions.
Polls gave the list 24-27 seats, below the 61 required for a government, while courting IDF chief Gadi Eisenkot could raise it to 41 seats.

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