The merger, announced at a joint press conference, brings together Bennett's right-wing Yamina party and Lapid's centrist Yesh Atid. Bennett will lead the new party, which aims to unseat Netanyahu's coalition government. The two previously formed a coalition in 2021 that ended Netanyahu's 12-year tenure, but it lasted only 18 months. That coalition included the United Arab List (UAL), an Arab party, for the first time in Israel's history.
Netanyahu made a comeback in November 2022 and formed the most right-wing government in Israel's history. However, according to polls, Hamas's 2023 attack on southern Israel damaged his security credentials, and he is predicted to lose the next election due by the end of October. A 23 April survey by N12 News found Bennett securing 21 Knesset seats, Netanyahu's Likud 25, and Lapid's party 7 seats. According to polls, Bennett and Lapid together command 27 mandates, but it is uncertain if they can hold them in the October election.
Bennett said he will not seek a coalition with Arab parties again and ruled out ceding land to enemies. Former chief of staff Gadi Eizenkot left the coalition in June 2024, believing Netanyahu did not prioritize hostage exchange, and formed his own party Yashar. The Israeli left has shrunk to the Democrats, a merger of left-wing radicals, social democrats, and liberals led by former general Yair Golan, predicted to win 10 seats.
Netanyahu posted an AI-generated video on social media showing Bennett and Lapid in a car driven by Islamist party leader Mansour Abbas. In the latest polls, the opposition gets 60 mandates, the Netanyahu bloc 50, and Arab parties 10. Lapid said at the press conference: "We are standing here together for the sake of our children. The state of Israel must change direction." Bennett added: "After 30 years, it is time to part with Netanyahu and open a new chapter for Israel." Netanyahu responded on social media: "They did it once, they'll do it again."
It remains unclear whether the Bennett-Lapid merger will hold until the election, or if internal divisions or defections will occur. Smaller parties like Yashar and the Democrats could play a role in coalition formation.