The alliance seeks to 바unify a divided opposition that centers on opposing Netanyahu rather than presenting a broad, cohesive policy platform.

The leaders plan a joint press conference to formalize the merger and outline their electoral roadmap later on the same day.

Lapid framed the move as a step toward repairing Israel and uniting the change bloc against Netanyahu.

Despite ideological differences—Bennett's Orthodox, hawkish stance toward Palestinians and Lapid’s secular, moderate stance—the two have maintained a cooperative working relationship and are seeking to consolidate opposition efforts.

Opponents accused the alliance of courting Islamist groups, while supporters argue unity is essential to defeating extremism and delivering change.

Recent polling suggested the new party could win roughly 21 seats, with Netanyahu’s Likud around 25; together with smaller factions, the bloc could reach 60 seats, challenging Netanyahu’s coalition.

Two former Israeli prime ministers, Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, will merge their parties into a single faction led by Bennett to challenge Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the upcoming elections.

Their stated aim is to unite their often-fragmented opposition and concentrate efforts on winning the decisive vote, which is expected by the end of October.

The arrangement represents a coalition-style collaboration between the center and the right, with Bennett poised to lead the unified ticket.

Bennett and Lapid previously led a rotating prime ministership in a 2021 coalition that ended Netanyahu’s 12-year rule; Bennett is seen as the strongest candidate to defeat Netanyahu based on polls.

Since then, Lapid has acted as opposition leader while Bennett stepped back, making this renewed collaboration a notable shift.

The plan envisions incorporating Lapid’s Yesh Atid and Bennett 2026, with room for General (ret.) Eisenkot to join, though Eisenkot has previously declined a second-position offer.