April 27, 2026, 12:41 p.mApril 27, 2026, 12:41 p.m
An electoral alliance against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has emerged in Israel – the former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, who was involved in it, speaks of a good decision.
Naftali Bennett and Jair Lapid want to run against Netanyahu.Image: keystone
“Whoever dares wins,” Bennett wrote on Platform X after he and opposition leader Jair Lapid announced on Sunday that they would run together in the upcoming election. A new Israeli parliament is scheduled to be elected on October 27th. The opposition hopes to then replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition.
Divided opposition – alliance should end power struggles
He and his “friend” Lapid did not wait for victory to come to them, Bennett continued. Instead, both took the initiative together. Their alliance is called “Together”. It will be led by Bennett, who comes from the national-religious camp and whose party is currently doing significantly better in opinion polls than Lapid’s Yesh Atid party.
The move would end internal power struggles in the liberal camp, they said in a statement. The opposition often finds it difficult to pull together due to internal conflicts. Despite different views, he and Lapid wanted to fight for the well-being of the Israeli people, Bennett said. According to Bennett, the central issue for the new alliance will be, among other things, conscription for ultra-Orthodox Jews in Israel.
Lapid is in the political center. In the past he had also spoken out in favor of a two-state solution.
Both were previously in a governing coalition
An anti-Netanyahu coalition between the two won the election in 2021. At the time, this was supported by eight parties from the right to the left – including an Arab one for the first time. Bennett and Lapid were each prime minister for a while at the time. However, the alliance broke up again after around a year and a half. In the subsequent election, Netanyahu and his coalition prevailed – the most right-wing government in Israeli history.
Since the Hamas massacre in Israel on October 7, 2023, Netanyahu’s popularity ratings have fallen, according to surveys. It is unclear whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing religious government can achieve a majority again. According to current polls, the chances for Netanyahu’s coalition are currently not good. (hkl/sda/dpa)