Event Overview
Two former Israeli prime ministers agree to merge parties against Netanyahu
Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, two former Israeli prime ministers, announced on April 26, 2026, that they will merge their parties to challenge Benjamin Netanyahu in the upcoming elections. This decision aims to create a stronger political entity that could potentially outpoll Netanyahu's Likud party. Both leaders previously served as prime ministers under a rotation agreement in a coalition government formed in 2021. The announcement was made during a joint press conference in Herzliya, Israel.
The merger of Bennett and Lapid's parties could significantly alter the political landscape in Israel, potentially increasing the challenge to Netanyahu's long-standing leadership, as noted by the Associated Press.
Two former Israeli prime ministers agree to merge parties against Netanyahu
Israel’s then caretaker Prime Minister Yair Lapid, right, talks with former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett during the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, on Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022. (Ronaldo Schemidt/Pool Photo via AP) JERUSALEM (AP) — Two Israeli political heavyweights on Sunday said they would join forces in.
Two former Israeli prime ministers agree to merge parties against Netanyahu
JERUSALEM — Two Israel i political heavyweights on Sunday said they would join forces in upcoming elections in a shared effort to unseat longtime Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu . Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid served as prime ministers in a rotation agreement as part of a coalition government they formed in 2021.
Ex-Israeli Prime Ministers Unite Parties to Take On Netanyahu
Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, two former prime ministers of Israel, announced the merging of their parties, creating a new political entity that could outpoll that of Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud in the upcoming election.
Two former Israeli prime ministers agree to merge parties against Netanyahu
Israel’s then caretaker Prime Minister Yair Lapid, right, talks with former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett during the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, on Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022. (Ronaldo Schemidt/Pool Photo via AP) JERUSALEM (AP) — Two Israeli political heavyweights on Sunday said they would join forces in.
Two former Israeli prime ministers agree to merge parties against Netanyahu
Former Israeli prime ministers Naftali Bennett, left, and Yair Lapid hold a joint press conference announcing that their parties will run together in the upcoming elections, in Herzliya, Israel, Sunday, April 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit) Former Israeli prime ministers Naftali Bennett, left, and Yair Lapid arrive.
Two former Israeli prime ministers agree to merge parties against Netanyahu
Former Israeli prime ministers Naftali Bennett, left, and Yair Lapid hold a joint press conference announcing that their parties will run together in the upcoming elections, in Herzliya, Israel, Sunday, April 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit) Former Israeli prime ministers Naftali Bennett, left, and Yair Lapid arrive.