Netanyahu rivals unite for Israel election

Two of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin NetanyahuÕs top rivals
announced they would join forces in an upcoming election
to oust his coalition government

Right-wing Naftali Bennett (right)
and centrist Yair Lapid (far right)
will run together under new united
party named BeYachad Ð Hebrew
for ÒTogetherÓ

New party
combines LapidÕs
Yesh Atid with
Bennett 2026
under BennettÕs leadership

Move could reshape direction of
upcoming elections scheduled for
no later than Oct 2026

Party expected to pursue security
posture similar to that of Netanyahu
on issues like Iran, Gaza and
Lebanon, so IsraelÕs foreign policy
would remain largely unchanged

KNESSET SEAT PROJECTION (Kantar/Kan poll, Apr 27)

Opposition bloc

24
15
11
8

Together
Yashar
Democrats
Yisrael
Beitenu

58 seats

Ruling coalition (Netanyahu)

27
9
9
7

Likud
Otzma Yehudit
Shas
United Torah Judaism

52 seats

Unaligned

5
5

RaÕam
Hadash-TaÕal

Total
120 seats
61 needed to
form government

Sources: Israel Elects, Jerusalem Post, Reuters
Pictures: Getty Images
© GRAPHIC NEWS