A dramatic political realignment unfolded Sunday night as the newly announced alliance between Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid triggered a cascade of additional moves across Israel’s political landscape.

Amid the fallout, former Shin Bet chief Yoram Cohen—who had been widely expected to join Bennett—has instead decided to align with Gadi Eisenkot and his emerging political faction.

At the same time, Knesset member Ram Ben Barak, a senior figure within Lapid’s Yesh Atid party, is also reportedly considering a move to Eisenkot’s camp, according to reports.

Cohen, identified with the religious Zionist community, served as head of the Shin Bet from 2011 to 2016. In recent years, he has been among the more outspoken critics of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government.

Ben Barak, a former deputy director of the Mossad, previously served as chairman of the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee during the so-called “change government.”

Earlier Sunday, Bennett and Lapid formally announced the formation of a joint political party aimed at leading a center-right bloc in the 2026 elections. Bennett, who will head the alliance, declared: “The era of division is over. The era of repair has begun. On day one, we will establish a state commission of inquiry into October 7.”

Lapid, who agreed to step aside and allow Bennett to lead, said: “I am putting ego aside for the good of the country. Bennett is a decent right-wing leader who will make an excellent prime minister.”

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)