Israeli Leaders Unite to Challenge Netanyahu
JERUSALEM: On Sunday, Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid announced that he would team up with former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett ahead of the upcoming elections. Their goal is to unseat the current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Lapid, who has previously held the office of Prime Minister, shared that they plan to form a joint list for the parliamentary elections set for October. A formal announcement is expected later today.
In a message on X, Lapid expressed that this collaboration marks a significant step towards “repairing the State of Israel.” He stated that the two leaders would merge their parties, Yesh Atid and Bennett 2026, into one party led by Bennett.
This alliance aims to unify efforts to address various challenges facing Israel. Both Lapid and Bennett have been critical of Netanyahu’s handling of recent conflicts, with Lapid calling a recent ceasefire deal involving Iran a “political disaster.”
Bennett, known for his right-wing stance and strong support for Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, and centrist Lapid previously joined forces to form a coalition government in June 2021. However, their partnership ended in late 2022 when Bennett announced that their coalition was no longer viable, leading to Lapid taking on the role of caretaker prime minister.
Recent opinion polls suggest that Bennett has a strong chance of defeating Netanyahu in the upcoming election. A 54-year-old son of American immigrants, Bennett previously made headlines as a successful high-tech entrepreneur, selling his start-up for $145 million in 2005. As a former Israeli commando, he also connects with younger voters, especially after the prolonged conflicts in Gaza over the past two years.
