2 former Israeli prime ministers agree to merge parties against Netanyahu

Two former Israeli prime ministers, Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, announced on Sunday their decision to merge their political parties in an effort to challenge Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition government in the upcoming election, which is expected later this year. The merger involves Bennett's party, Bennett 2026, and Lapid's party, There is a Future. The new party formed from this merger will be called Together, with Bennett set to lead it. In their statements regarding the merger, both leaders emphasized the importance of unity among opposition parties to effectively compete against Netanyahu. Lapid, who serves as the opposition leader, stated that the move aims to "unite the bloc, put an end to internal divisions, and focus all efforts on winning the critical upcoming elections." This strategic alliance is seen as a significant step in consolidating opposition forces against Netanyahu, who has been in power for 12 consecutive years. Bennett and Lapid have previously collaborated, successfully ending Netanyahu's long tenure in the 2021 election. However, their coalition government lasted only about 18 months before it collapsed. The current merger reflects their renewed commitment to challenge Netanyahu's leadership and reshape the political landscape in Israel ahead of the forthcoming elections.