Former Prime Ministers Naftali Bennett And Yair Lapid Announce Joint ‘Together’ Slate To Challenge Netanyahu In 2026 Elections

Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid merge their parties into the Together slate, promising a professional government, Haredi draft reform, and a commission into Oct 7.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 26, 2026, 3:54 PM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from The Times of Israel

A Strategic Alliance To End Political Fragmentation

According to Sam Sokol, Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid formally announced the creation of the Together party during a joint press conference in Herzliya. Bennett described the move as the "most Zionist and patriotic act" of his career, framing the union as a necessary step to heal a divided nation. The alliance brings together Bennett’s newly formed right-wing liberal faction and Lapid’s centrist Yesh Atid, aiming to provide a stable alternative to the current government. Bennett emphasized that while he and Lapid maintain different ideological perspectives, their shared commitment to the State of Israel allows them to work "shoulder to shoulder" in the same spirit as the nation's soldiers.

The Platform For A "New Era Of Correction"

The Together party platform prioritizes a fundamental shift in national governance, focusing on accountability and secular-religious balance. Bennett pledged that his first act as prime minister would be to establish a state commission of inquiry into the October 7 massacre to provide answers to grieving families and the public. Key policy goals include:

Haredi Draft Reform: An immediate halt to funding for draft evaders and a push for universal service.

Governance Limits: The imposition of prime ministerial term limits to prevent the long-term consolidation of power.