Old Rivals Bennett and Lapid Join Forces Ahead of Elections

•� � Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid and former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett announced they will merge their parties before the next national election.

•� � Lapid’s Yesh Atid party will join Bennett’s new political party, which will run under the name “Bennett 2026,” with Bennett leading the joint list.

•� � The two leaders said the merger is the first step toward “repairing the State of Israel.”

•� � The move is aimed at uniting the opposition camp and strengthening forces seeking to challenge the current coalition.