Trending Now - Bennett and Lapid Team up for Unified Party in 2026 Elections
WHO:
The Times of Israel - Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the Yashar party, welcomed the union of Bennett and Lapid, calling them "partners."
The Times of Israel - Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, former prime ministers of Israel, are involved in the announcement of a united political party.
The Jerusalem Post - Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the Yashar party, is invited to join the united party.
WHAT:
The Times of Israel - Eisenkot stated that the goal of winning the elections is a "shared goal" and emphasized the need to bring in more votes for victory.
The Times of Israel - A recent Maariv poll indicated that if Eisenkot, Lapid, and Bennett were to run together, their combined ticket would become the largest faction in the Knesset.
The Times of Israel - Bennett vowed to establish a state commission of inquiry into the failures surrounding the Hamas invasion and massacre of October 7, 2023.
The Times of Israel - Lapid vowed to draft the Haredim, tackle soaring crime, bring down the cost of living, and reform the education system.
The Times of Israel - Bennett projected that their joint list would become the largest faction in the Knesset if Eisenkot joins them.
The Times of Israel - Bennett stated that the incumbent leads a bloc that only has enough support for “35 Zionist seats” in the 120-member Knesset.
The Jerusalem Post - Lapid indicated he might not even be No.2 on their joint slate if fellow opposition party leader Gadi Eisenkot comes aboard.
The Times of Israel - Bennett and Lapid announced a united run under the name “Together – Led by Bennett” for the upcoming elections.
The Times of Israel - Bennett stated that the new alliance is a “most Zionist and patriotic act” and declared that “the era of division is over.”
The Times of Israel - A recent Maariv poll indicated that Bennett’s party is neck and neck with Netanyahu’s Likud, each projected to receive 24 Knesset seats.
The Jerusalem Post - The agreement to form the joint list was signed on a Saturday evening.
WHERE:
The Times of Israel - The announcement was made in the coastal city of Herzliya.
WHEN:
The Times of Israel - The upcoming election is scheduled for no later than the end of October 2026.
The Times of Israel - Bennett and Lapid previously worked together in a coalition government from 2021 to 2022.
WHY:
The Times of Israel - Eisenkot described the upcoming elections as "the most critical election Israel has had since its establishment."
The Times of Israel - Bennett described their merger as a “daring” move, asserting that “Who dares wins.”
The Times of Israel - Bennett and Lapid aim to unite the Israeli center and right to establish a strong and stable Zionist government.
The Times of Israel - Lapid emphasized the need for the entire Israeli center to support Bennett to win the elections.
HOW:
The Times of Israel - Bennett confirmed that their "door is open" for Eisenkot to join the new alliance.
The Times of Israel - Bennett expressed that their joint move is a “massive move” and a “bold move” aimed at fixing the current situation in Israel.
The Times of Israel - Bennett and Lapid plan to create a united list for the elections without officially merging their respective parties.
The Times of Israel - Bennett expressed that he will only rely on Zionist parties for his coalition, indicating a refusal to partner with Arab parties again.
(UPDATED April 27, 2026 15:33 UTC)
Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the Yashar party, has welcomed the union of Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, calling them "partners" in a shared goal to win the upcoming elections, which he described as "the most critical election Israel has had since its establishment." He emphasized the importance of increasing their vote count, and a recent Maariv poll suggests that if Eisenkot, Lapid, and Bennett were to run together, their combined ticket would become the largest faction in the Knesset. Bennett also confirmed that their "door is open" for Eisenkot to join the new alliance, highlighting a collaborative effort moving forward.
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(UPDATED April 27, 2026 13:22 UTC)
Bennett has announced plans to establish a state commission of inquiry into the failures surrounding the Hamas invasion and massacre that occurred on October 7, 2023, while also projecting that their joint list could become the largest faction in the Knesset if Eisenkot joins them. Lapid has vowed to address key issues such as drafting the Haredim, tackling soaring crime, reducing the cost of living, and reforming the education system, although he indicated he might not even be No. 2 on their joint slate if Eisenkot comes aboard. Describing their merger as a “daring” and “massive” move, Bennett emphasized that it is a bold step aimed at fixing the current situation in Israel.
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(UPDATED April 27, 2026 04:10 UTC)
In a significant political development, Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid have announced a united run under the name “Together – Led by Bennett” for the upcoming elections, aiming to strengthen the Israeli center and right. The announcement, made in Herzliya, comes as a recent poll shows Bennett’s party neck and neck with Netanyahu’s Likud, each projected to receive 24 Knesset seats, and the upcoming election is set for no later than the end of October 2026. Bennett emphasized that this new alliance represents a “most Zionist and patriotic act,” declaring that “the era of division is over,” while also stating he will only rely on Zionist parties for his coalition.