Eisenkot Doubts New Bennett-Lapid Alliance Will Expand Base
Eisenkot described the pair as “partners” and said his focus remains on securing “the victory and change required for the State of Israel. The only test is bringing in more votes,” he said, suggesting the new list could struggle to draw support from the pro-Netanyahu right.
Yashar leader Gadi Eisenkot on Sunday welcomed the joint electoral move by former prime minister Naftali Bennett and Opposition Leader Yair Lapid, calling it a step toward the “shared goal” of forming a new government.
Bennett and Lapid announced they will run on a united list under the name “Together” in the upcoming October elections, without formally merging their parties. The two previously partnered in the 2021-2022 coalition that brought together right-wing, centrist and left-wing factions.
Eisenkot described the pair as “partners” and said his focus remains on securing “the victory and change required for the State of Israel.” He added that any alliance would ultimately be judged by its ability to expand the opposition’s voter base.
“The only test is bringing in more votes,” he said, suggesting the new list could struggle to draw support from the pro-Netanyahu right.
Eisenkot did not commit to joining the slate but signaled openness, with sources in the opposition saying he could still play a central role. Bennett later publicly invited him to join.
Other opposition figures, including Yair Golan, Avigdor Liberman and Benny Gantz, also welcomed the alliance, framing it as part of a broader effort to build a “broad Zionist” coalition capable of replacing the current government.
Likud and coalition figures sharply criticized the move, accusing Bennett and Lapid of seeking to revive their previous partnership with Ra’am leader Mansour Abbas. Ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich attacked the alliance as left-wing and reliant on Islamist support, while Shas leader Aryeh Deri called it a “brotherhood of hatred.”
The announcement marks an early consolidation effort within the opposition as parties position themselves ahead of what many are framing as a decisive election.