Electoral alliance between Lapid and Bennett

Two of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's main political rivals announced on Sunday that they are uniting their efforts under a joint political framework in preparation for the upcoming elections in Israel.

Former prime ministers Naftali Bennett, from the right, and Yair Lapid, from the center, issued statements announcing the merger of their parties — Bennett 2026 and There is a Future.

Opposition leader Lapid said: "This step aims to unite the bloc, put an end to internal divisions, and focus all efforts on winning the crucial upcoming elections and leading Israel toward the future."

Bennett's office said the new party will be named "Together," adding: "Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and former Prime Minister Yair Lapid will announce the first step in the process of reforming the State of Israel: merging Yesh Atid party and the Bennett 2026 party into a unified party led by former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett."

The statement added: "This step leads to unifying the correction bloc, putting an end to internal conflicts, and allowing the dedication of all efforts to achieving a decisive victory in the upcoming elections, and leading Israel toward the needed correction," as he described it.