Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid and former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett are preparing to run in the legislative elections, scheduled to be held before October, together with the aim of ousting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Lapid and Bennett’s announcement of uniting against the most powerful man in Israel raises the question about the chances of their alliance to win and remove Netanyahu from the position in which he remained for the longest period in the history of the Hebrew state.

Published on: 04/27/2026 - 19:18 Last updated: 04/27/2026 - 19:59

Confronting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his predecessors, the centrist Yair Lapid and the right-winger Naftali Bennett, announced the merger into a party called (Biahad), meaning together, to run in the elections that must be held no later than the end of October. While questions are raised about the chances of the heterogeneous coalition in bringing down the prime minister, who held this position for 18 years in multiple terms, analysts raise doubts about the possibility of canceling the entitlement as a way out for Netanyahu.

Bennett announced on Sunday his alliance with opposition leader Lapid, describing the move in a joint statement as "the most Zionist and patriotic step ever for our country." Bennett added, "Tonight we unite and establish the 'Together' party under my leadership. A party that will lead to a great victory and open a new era for our beautiful country."

In an interview with France 24, Israeli affairs expert Amir Makhoul believes that the holding of the elections is not guaranteed and talks about the possibility of canceling them.

Regarding the different political proposals of the two allies, Makhoul points out that Lapid and Bennett “do not actually present a political project different from Netanyahu’s project.” He adds, "Abroad, there are no fundamental differences in policy, and they have the same position as Netanyahu towards Lebanon and Iran, but in the Palestinian issue, Bennett presents the idea of ​​managing the conflict with the Palestinians in order to reduce it, while Netanyahu proposes abolishing it."

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Makhoul points out that there are major differences in internal affairs, as the coalition seeks “to seize the angry votes from Netanyahu because of the ceasefire in Lebanon and the war in Iran...” The internal difference is represented by Bennett and Lapid’s promise to investigate the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which the Netanyahu government has so far rejected.

Makhoul adds among the points of difference: the position on military service and support for the recruitment of Haredi Jews, the separation of powers and proper political performance in state institutions. He points out that Bennett and Lapid "oppose settlers' unrest from the standpoint of national security."

Netanyahu's loss "will change Israel in a week"

In turn, Magdi Al-Halabi, a journalist specializing in Israeli affairs, points out to France 24, “Netanyahu’s inability to form the next government according to the polls because he is unable to secure more than 51 members in the Knesset when he needs 61 members.” He explains that "any government needs Arabs, and members of the Likud Party who do not fully support Netanyahu will prefer to vote for Bennett and Lapid so that the Arabs do not form the government."

Al-Halabi believes that Netanyahu's loss will lead to a change in the Hebrew state "within a week because Netanyahu controls Israel." He believes that the right and center-right need the left of Yair Golan, head of the Democratic Party, and the more extreme right-winger, Avigdor Lieberman.

The journalist points out that these people differ from Netanyahu in that they "want a liberal, democratic state while Netanyahu wants a state of his own, and the liberal right believes in the rule of law, not the person, unlike the prime minister." The journalist believes that their victory may make Israel move towards a solution with the Palestinians and then to an understanding with Saudi Arabia and the rest of the countries of the region.

"Polls are changing"

For his part, academic and Israeli affairs expert Nael Al-Zoubi, in an interview with France 24, called for waiting for the announcement of other alliances to complete the scene. He refuses to say that the chances of the Lapid-Bennett alliance are high, or to specify the groups they might attract. Regarding the opinion polls that show that Bennett is the most likely to win over Netanyahu, he says, “Opinion polls change until the morning of the elections.”

Al-Zoubi confirms that "the next government in Israel will be formed from the right, whoever wins." He stresses "the existence of a unified Israeli position on foreign issues and the rejection of tolerance with Iran, Hezbollah, and Hamas." He believes that "whoever wins will follow the same policies as Netanyahu." Regarding the disagreements over internal issues that might topple Netanyahu, he only says that they are “natural and part of democracy.”

Regarding the investigation into the Hamas attack on October 7, which constitutes a major point of criticism for the current prime minister, who is accused of evading its conduct, the academic says that the government “did not reject the investigation, but rather postponed it,” and justifies it by “fighting Israel in wars on several fronts.”

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