Full Breakdown
Israeli “Together” Alliance Aims to Unseat Netanyahu and Reset U.S. Democratic Ties
5/2/2026, 9:30:11 AM
Formation of the “Together” Alliance
On 26 April 2026 former prime ministers Naftali Bennett (right-wing) and Yair Lapid (centrist) announced the merger of their parties into a single list named “Together” (Hebrew Yachad). Bennett will lead the bloc, while Lapid will serve as a senior partner. The alliance is positioned as the primary vehicle to defeat Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud in the legislative election required by 27 October 2026.
Background: Shifting Israeli Politics and U.S. Democratic Sentiment
Israel’s traditional left-wing parties (Labor, Meretz) have collapsed; Labor entered parliament with four seats in 2022 and merged with Meretz in 2024, while Meretz failed to clear the electoral threshold in 2022. Centrist parties such as Yesh Atid and Blue and White have also lost ground, prompting figures like Bennett to migrate from the right into the centrist space. Simultaneously, U.S. Democratic opinion of Israel has deteriorated: a Pew Research Center poll shows 80 % of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents now view Israel unfavorably, up from 53 % in 2022. In the Senate, a record 85 % of Democrats voted to block U.S. weapons sales tied to Netanyahu’s government.
Key Players and Their Positions
- Naftali Bennett – Leads “Together,” promises an “Israeli Renaissance” with a plan to absorb one million new immigrants and to dismantle organized crime.
- Yair Lapid – Former Yesh Atid leader, maintains diplomatic contacts with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
- Benjamin Netanyahu – Incumbent prime minister, facing legal trials and declining poll numbers.
- J Street (Ilan Goldenberg) – Engages Israeli opposition leaders, emphasizing that Netanyahu’s exit alone will not repair Democratic ties.
- Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) – Criticizes Netanyahu’s policies and calls for a renewed commitment to democratic principles.
Polling Landscape and Electoral Prospects
Channel 12 placed “Together” at 26 Knesset seats, one ahead of Likud; Channel 13 reported a tie at 26 seats each, while Channel 11 gave Likud 27 seats versus “Together” 24. A Lazar Research poll found Bennett suitable for prime minister (46 %) and Eisenkot (44 %) ahead of Netanyahu (41 %). Analysts note that the alliance will need Arab-party support (e.g., Ra’am’s projected five seats) to reach the 61-seat majority threshold.
Implications for U.S.–Israel Relations
Opposition leaders argue that removing Netanyahu will make it easier to “push the baggage down the trash compactor” and restore bipartisan U.S. support. Lapid stresses his ability to speak with “the larger portion of Democrats” and to align Israeli security priorities with U.S. expectations.
Official Statements & Responses
- Lapid emphasized that the new government must be “pre-occupied with…national security” and capable of rebuilding ties with Democratic lawmakers.
- Bennett described the merger as a “governing alternative” to the current coalition of Likud, Deri, Smotrich, Ben-Gvir, and Goldknopf.
- Shaheen warned that “repairing that trust will require a renewed commitment to democratic principles, restraint and a serious effort to pursue lasting peace.”
Criticism & Opposition Perspectives
Political strategist Dahlia Scheindlin warned that many in Israel view Democrats as “irreparably, irredeemably anti-Israel.” Shaheen expressed deep disappointment with Netanyahu’s conduct, questioning whether centrist parties can truly revive bipartisan support.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Polling varies: Channel 12, Channel 13, and Channel 11 differ on seat projections for “Together.” Suitability polls show Bennett ahead of Netanyahu, yet a separate poll indicates Eisenkot may also be competitive. No formal policy platform has been released, leaving uncertainty about the bloc’s stance on the Iran ceasefire, Gaza, and the Arab-party role in a future coalition.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Our target for the Democratic Party, at least initially, isn’t going to start with the far left, it’s going to start with the moderates that we’re losing,” — Unnamed Israeli opposition party official
- “The right question is not whether they repair relations with Democrats, it’s whether they repair relationships with the public in Europe and the United States,” — Opposition adviser
- “Netanyahu leaving would create an opportunity, but these new Israeli leaders will have to follow through with action if they really want to start changing the relationship with the Democratic Party,” — Ilan Goldenberg, J Street chief policy officer
- “In Israel, the overwhelming perspective portrayed by everybody, whether it’s Netanyahu or the mainstream media, is Democrats as having become just irreparably, irredeemably anti-Israel,” — Dahlia Scheindlin, political strategist
- “Lapid accepts my leadership. I will serve as prime minister, as a man of the Right, a man of the Land of Israel, a liberal. I will lead this government, and behind me there will be people from the Center and from the Right,” — Naftali Bennett
What’s Next
The election must be held by 27 October 2026. Post-election coalition talks will determine whether “Together” can secure a majority, likely requiring negotiations with Arab parties or smaller centrist factions. Observers will watch further polling, Netanyahu’s legal proceedings, and any policy statements that could influence U.S. Democratic support ahead of the vote.
