Former rivals Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid have revived their joint ‘Together’ bloc, hoping to unseat Benjamin Netanyahu. A Misryoum poll shows the new alliance trailing Likud by a seat, raising questions about its electoral chances and the impact on Israel’s political and Palestinian dynamics.
Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid announced on Sunday that they are re‑uniting under the banner of the “Together” party, a move designed to challenge Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud in the next election.
Both former premiers spoke from the same podium in Herzliya, with Bennett promising a “great victory” and a “new era” for Israel.. A Misryoum poll released on Monday projects the new bloc to capture four fewer seats than the two parties earned separately, leaving it a seat short of Likud’s count.. The figures suggest a tight race, but not an automatic win for the opposition.
The alliance’s prospects hinge on more than raw numbers.. Israel’s fragmented party system means that even a modest seat deficit can be offset by strategic coalition talks after the vote.. Bennett and Lapid hope their combined brand – a blend of right‑wing credibility and centrist pragmatism – will attract smaller parties disillusioned with Netanyahu’s long‑standing dominance.. Yet the same poll that forecasts a shortfall also hints at voter fatigue with coalition‑building drama, a factor that could erode the bloc’s appeal if internal disagreements resurface.
Historically, Israeli politics has been a carousel of alliances that rise and fall with shifting public moods.. The 2021 “change government” brought together parties across the spectrum, including a groundbreaking representation of Palestinian citizens.. That coalition managed to pass a budget and stabilize governance after months of deadlock, but internal tensions over security policy and West Bank strategy led to its collapse in 2022.. The new Bennett‑Lapid venture must learn from that episode, balancing ideological purity with the practical need for compromise.
On the streets of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, ordinary voters are watching the drama unfold with a mixture of hope and skepticism.. Younger Israelis, who have grown up amid repeated elections, express a desire for fresh leadership that can address housing costs and social services.. Older constituents, many of whom remember the security challenges of the early 2000s, remain wary of any coalition that might appear weak on defense.. These divergent concerns shape the electorate’s calculus as the campaign season heats up.
The alliance also carries significant implications for the Israeli‑Palestinian conflict.. Both Bennett and Lapid have publicly supported Israel’s military actions in Gaza, though Lapid has occasionally hinted at a two‑state solution.. Bennett, by contrast, has repeatedly rejected the notion of a Palestinian state and advocated a hard‑line stance on border crossings.. Their renewed partnership, therefore, is unlikely to shift Israel’s policy toward the occupied territories, leaving the Palestinian population facing the same challenges that persisted under the previous coalition.
Election odds and Likud’s position
Netanyahu’s Likud remains the dominant force despite the prime minister’s ongoing corruption trial and criticism over the handling of the October 7 attacks.. The party’s nationalist messaging continues to resonate with a sizable portion of the electorate that prioritizes security and territorial claims.. However, the legal cloud hanging over Netanyahu may erode some of his support, giving the Bennett‑Lapid bloc a narrow window to capture undecided voters.
What the alliance means for Israel’s future
If Bennett and Lapid succeed in forming a government, they will need to negotiate with smaller parties to reach a majority.. Their stated intention to exclude Arab parties narrows the pool of potential partners, potentially forcing a reliance on centrist or religious factions.. Such a configuration could reignite debates over funding for religious institutions and the role of the judiciary, issues that have already strained past coalitions.. Conversely, a loss could reinforce Netanyahu’s grip on power, prolonging the status quo and delaying any substantive policy shifts.
The coming weeks will reveal whether the “Together” party can convert its brand of seasoned leadership into a decisive electoral advantage, or whether Israel’s voters will once again favor the familiar, albeit controversial, figure of Netanyahu.