Former prime ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid announced Sunday that they will run together in the upcoming 2026 elections under a joint list titled “Together – Led by Naftali Bennett,” marking a significant political realignment within the opposition.

Speaking at a press conference in Herzliya, Bennett described the partnership as “the most Zionist and patriotic act we have ever done” and declared that “the era of division is over.” He said the alliance aims to unite broad segments of Israeli society, despite his contentious relationship with the religious world, including efforts by his party to draft Charedim and strip power from the Chief Rabbinate in favor of extremist left-wing Jewish figures.

Bennett emphasized that, despite the partnership, he remains a “right-wing, liberal Zionist” and intends to form a coalition only with Zionist parties, signaling a shift from his previous government, which included an Arab party. At the same time, he argued that his leadership would represent all Israelis, including those outside his voter base.

Lapid, leader of the Yesh Atid party, said the decision to back Bennett was driven by political necessity, stating that the center must unify to win. “We are setting ego aside and doing what is right for the State of Israel,” he said, calling for a “strong and stable” Zionist government. He also outlined priorities including economic relief, security, and government reform, while reiterating his position on drafting Charedim.

The joint list will not formally merge the parties but will run as a unified slate. The two previously partnered in the 2021–2022 government, a diverse coalition that ultimately collapsed after internal disagreements and political pressure. That experience continues to shape both support and skepticism surrounding their renewed alliance.

Bennett also extended an invitation to former IDF chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot to join the new list, describing the move as part of a broader effort to consolidate opposition forces. Eisenkot responded positively, calling the goal of winning the upcoming elections a “shared” one, though he did not formally commit.

Recent polling suggests Bennett’s party is competitive with Likud, while Lapid’s support has declined compared to previous elections. A potential combined run with Eisenkot could significantly reshape the political map, though analysts note it may not dramatically alter the balance between major blocs.

Other political figures reacted with mixed responses. Benny Gantz welcomed the partnership but stressed the need for broader unity without exclusions, while members of the current coalition sharply criticized the alliance, accusing Bennett and Lapid of repeating past political alignments.

The renewed partnership highlights both the opportunities and challenges facing the opposition. While the alliance may strengthen coordination and messaging, questions remain about ideological differences, past coalition dynamics, and whether the new framework can translate into electoral success.