Bennett and Lapid unite in one party to run in the upcoming elections against Netanyahu

The former Israeli Prime Minister, Naftali Bennett, and the head of the opposition and Yesh Atid party, Yair Lapid, united in one party, today, Sunday, to unite what they described as the “Reform Bloc” to run in the upcoming elections together, headed by the former.

This came according to a statement issued by Bennett’s office, which stated that “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: merging the Yesh Atid party and the Bennett 2026 party into a unified party led by Bennett.”

The brief statement stated, “This step unites the Reform bloc, puts an end to internal conflicts, and enables all efforts to be directed toward achieving a decisive victory in the upcoming elections and leading Israel toward the desired reform.”

The Likud Party, headed by Netanyahu, and the Religious Zionism Party headed by Bezalel Smotrich, attacked this move, as did the Minister of National Security and head of Otzma Yehudit, Itamar Ben Gvir, who said, “Bennett was an extreme leftist, and will remain so.”

The name of the new party will be: “Biyahad” (together or together), led by Naftali Bennett; the latter’s party will also have a majority in the new party.

During a joint press conference, held on Sunday evening, Bennett said: “This is a big step towards reforming the state, but it is certainly not the last step,” adding: “You will witness more steps and surprises that will change the face of the country.”

He added, “On the first day of the new government under my leadership, an official investigation committee will be formed into (the events of) October 7, to reveal the truth to the families, and provide answers to all Israelis.”

He said that his government and Bennett will work on the following:

• Forming an investigation committee into the failure of October 7, 2023.
• We will pass a law to conscript everyone, including the ultra-Orthodox, and stop funding religious institutions that oppose this.
• Limiting the term of office of the Prime Minister to eight years.
• “We protect our country’s lands and will not give up a single inch to the enemy.”
• “We will promote a Judaism that brings people together, is inclusive, without coercion.”

For his part, “We stand here today together to begin radical reform in Israel… Today we are doing what we have always done; we are abandoning our arrogance, and we are doing what is best for the State of Israel.”

He added, “To win the elections, the entire Israeli community must support Naftali Bennett.”

Bennett had initially offered the former Chief of Staff of the Israeli Army and head of the Yashar Party, Gadi Eisenkot, to join the party he heads, but he refused.

The decision to unite Bennett and Lapid came after the former’s statement that it was impossible to win in the upcoming elections “in light of the division of forces, and that the bloc opposing the current government, headed by Benjamin Netanyahu, suffers from these divisions.”

Bennett and Lapid conducted opinion polls before making the decision to unite, and they met several times during the past week. Last night, everything was completed and they signed the agreement, officially.

The Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper website quoted people close to Bennett as saying, “Bennett and Lapid aim to expand the party’s base, attract new audiences, and achieve more communication and real change.”

Eisenkot: I see them as partners

The former Chief of Staff of the Israeli Army, Gadi Eisenkot, quickly issued a statement in which he indicated that he “spoken about half an hour ago with former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and congratulated him.”

He said, “The goal of winning the upcoming decisive elections is a shared goal,” adding: “I see Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid as partners, and I will continue to work responsibly and wisely to achieve the victory and change desired for the State of Israel.”

He continued: “Reforming Israel is my mission in life, and I am determined to achieve it.”

The head of the Yisrael Beytenu party, Avigdor Lieberman, welcomed this step. He said: “We must not forget that the goal is to replace the October 7 government.”

For his part, the leader of the “Democrats” party, Yair Golan, said in a brief statement: “I welcome any unity within the (anti-Netanyahu) bloc.”

He added, “In the face of the upcoming challenges, the ‘Democrats’ will form the solid democratic and liberal foundation of the next government, and will ensure that the camp’s values ​​are the foundation, not marginalization.”