Naftali Bennett and opposition leader MK Yair Lapid announced today (Sunday) a joint political move in which they will unite their parties into one party - ahead of the upcoming elections.
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A statement issued by Bennett's office stated that the Yesh Atid party and the Bennett 2026 party will unite into a united party, which will run under the leadership of Bennett.
"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: the merger of the Yesh Atid party and the Bennett 2026 party into a united party headed by former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett," the statement said.
According to the announcement, the union is intended to unite forces within the left-wing political camp and end internal disputes: "The move brings about the unification of the correction bloc, putting an end to internal battles and allowing all efforts to be invested in a decisive victory in the upcoming elections and leading Israel to the required correction.".
Yair Lapid spoke with Gadi Eisenkot and told him: "It's impossible that you won't be part of this. We will do everything to get you to join.".
The political commentator Fellow He commented on the announcement: "A very logical move for both of them. Bennett guarantees the leadership of the bloc. Lapid guarantees its survival." Adding: "The heavy price of the alliance is the deterrence of right-wing voters, whatever they were, according to the polls and according to what Bennett says - nine right-wing seats.""
Chairman of the Democrats, Maj. Gen. (ret.), Yair Golan, said: I welcome any unity in the bloc. Faced with the challenges ahead, the Democratic Party will form the solid democratic and liberal backbone of the next government, ensuring that the values of the camp will lead and not be pushed aside.
Chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu Party, MK Avigdor Lieberman"I welcome the unification and wish you success. We must remember that the goal is to replace the October 7 government.".
Chairman of Blue and White, Benny Gantz"The real connection that the State of Israel needs is between the parts of the people - without boycotts and without hatred. This will only be guaranteed by a broad Zionist unity government, which will isolate the extremists and move Israel forward, and not a government that relies on extremists or non-Zionist parties. And this - only Blue and White guarantees.".
Former Chief of Staff and Chairman of the Yashar Party! Gadi Eisenkot"I spoke with Bennett about half an hour ago and congratulated him. The goal of winning the critical elections ahead of us is a shared goal. I see Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid as partners and I will continue to do the right thing responsibly and wisely to achieve the victory and change needed for the State of Israel. Fixing Israel is my life's mission and I am determined to uphold it.".
Yoaz Hendel, Chairman of the Reservists Party: "We wish Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid success in uniting the lists. We call on right-wingers who have hesitated until now to join the Reservists Party.".
Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich Responded to the move with a picture from the signing of the 'Government of Change' with Mansour Abbas: The left does not interfere in how to divide its votes, an alliance of Abbas' servants.
The Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben Gvir: Bennett-Lapid's Brotherhood Alliance is back to selling the country to the Islamic movement. Bennett was an extreme leftist and will remain an extreme leftist.
Chairman of Shas, MK Aryeh Deri: "The alliance of brotherly hatred returns, the frightened Bennett joins forces with Lapid, in an attempt to bring back the destructive government of the extreme left and the Muslim Brotherhood. Their common denominator is hatred of tradition and the second Israel, harm to Jewish identity, settlement and Torah scholars. He who guards his soul will stay away.".
Minister of Culture and Sports Mickey Zohar"This is what it's like when there's no ideology and no agenda. Neither right nor left. Bennett is as if he's right and Lapid is as if he's left - and together they're trying to pass the threshold. I'm proud to be in Likud, the most democratic party in Israel with a clear and sharp national path.".
Minister Amichai Shikli He published a video in which Bennett is seen declaring that he will never give his hand to a government led by Yair Lapid.
Member of Knesset Eliyahu Revivo From the Likud, he wrote: "We do not interfere in how the left divides its votes.".
Chairman of the Noam Party, MK Avi Maoz"This is exactly what a ruling looks like whose real goal is to overthrow right-wing rule and not equality in burdens, because after all, not even a single Haredi will enlist.".
Likud published an AI image of Mansour Abbas driving a car and Lapid and Bennett shown as children strapped into the back seat and wrote: "The driver is Mansour. It doesn't matter how the left divides its votes. In any case, Bennett and Lapid will go with the Muslim Brotherhood alliance, which supports terrorism, again.".
prime minister He shared the photo and the words published by the Likud movement.
Minister Gila Gamliel"After failing in his second attempt to deceive right-wing voters, leftist Bennett is uniting. Let the left divide its votes as it sees fit.".
Nathan Eshel, former head of the Prime Minister's Office: "The Muslim Brotherhood gang of Bennett and Lapid has been re-established. Good for the Jews! Now even the innocent understand that the crow, the starling, and the nightingale have teamed up again.".
The political commentator Yaakov Bardugo"They are in total hysteria. There is still a long time until the elections - and they chose to lock themselves in the wing of the Democrats. The left bloc. I don't know what right-winger would vote for Yair Lapid. This also indicates that Lapid is completely crushed. This is a connection that borders on the insane. And why didn't they include Gadi Eisenkot? Because he is Moroccan?""
Media person and consultant Shlomo Filber"In the unity, Bennett has locked up his role as the next opposition leader. Lapid is the center-left marker of the opposition, to his left only the Democrats. Bennett and Lapid, together with the Democrats, close the corner of about 25 seats to the left of the Zionist parties.".
There are about 25 seats left for voters, consisting of 10 seats that abandoned Lapid after October 7, when he did not enter the war cabinet. Along with voters for Lieberman, Gantz, and the undecided, some of whom do not rule out sitting in a government with Likud and the right.
"If they unite, they will form a government with the Likud, and if they run divided, one of them will join the right-wing coalition. In any case, Bennett will remain the opposition chairman, and Lapid will buy a ticket for the next Knesset.".
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