Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid have combined their parties ahead of elections planned for later this year

Former Israeli Prime Ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid have formed a unified party in a bid to oust Benjamin Netanyahu's government in elections later this year.

Right-wing Bennett and centrist Lapid on Sunday confirmed the merger of their parties, Bennett 2026 and Yesh Atid, into a single list titled 'Together, Led by Bennett', which they described as an effort to consolidate the opposition and improve its chances in the vote, which must be held no later than the end of October.

Bennett told reporters that joining forces was "the most Zionist and patriotic act we have ever done, for the sake of our country," adding that "the era of division is over." Lapid said: "We are standing here together for the sake of our children. The State of Israel must change direction."

Widely seen as Netanyahu's most formidable political rivals, the two have joined forces before, ending his 12-year tenure after the 2021 election by forming the short-lived "government of change," a coalition spanning right-wing, centrist and left-wing parties.

That alliance included the Arab party Ra'am, led by Mansour Abbas, marking the first time a party representing Israel's Palestinian minority joined a governing coalition. Netanyahu returned to power after winning the November 2022 election.

The new partnership will run as a unified list without formally merging their parties, and both have said they would seek to form a government only with Zionist opposition parties, excluding Arab factions. Bennett also said his government would advance a universal conscription law, halt funding for draft evasion, and introduce an eight-year term limit for a prime minister.

A recent Maariv poll showed Bennett's party tied with Netanyahu's Likud at 24 Knesset seats, while Yesh Atid has been polling at around six to seven seats.

Netanyahu's tenure has come under strain since Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza following a Hamas attack in October 2023 that killed 1,200 people and saw 250 taken hostage. More than 72,000 people have been killed and over 172,000 wounded in Israel's airstrikes and ground offensive, according to Palestinian health authorities. Polls have indicated Netanyahu may lose the next election.

The International Criminal Court issued warrants for Netanyahu in 2024 over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

At home, Netanyahu is facing a long-running corruption trial. Charged with bribery, fraud, and breach of trust in three cases, he denies wrongdoing, calling the case a political witch hunt. The trial resumed this week after a pause during the Iran war, with no resolution in sight. President Isaac Herzog has indicated that any pardon would only be considered after plea deal efforts are exhausted.

(RT.com)