Together - Headed by Bennett (Hebrew: “Beyachad”,“ביחד - בראשות בנט”) is an Israeli political party formed in 2026 through the merger of the centrist Yair Lapid’s Yesh Atid party and Naftali Bennett’s Bennett 2026 faction. The party was established ahead of the anticipated 2026 Knesset elections, with Bennett serving as leader and Lapid in a senior position on the party list.
The creation of Beyachad followed negotiations among opposition figures seeking to consolidate political forces to oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his governing coalition. The agreement to merge the parties was reached in April 2026, following earlier efforts to form a broader alliance, including with former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot, that did not materialize.
The new party was presented by its founders as an effort to unify what they described as a “reform bloc,” reduce internal divisions within the opposition, and improve electoral prospects by combining constituencies from the political center and center-right.
The name “Beyachad” reflects the emphasis its leaders place on political unity. At the party’s launch, Bennett stated that the alliance signaled “the era of division is over,” while Lapid described the move as prioritizing national interests over partisan considerations.
Beyachad is generally characterized as a centrist to center-right alliance. It brings together Lapid’s liberal, secular-oriented base with Bennett’s right-leaning, nationalist supporters. The party has not published a comprehensive formal platform at the time of its formation. Still, statements by its leaders emphasize pragmatic governance, national unity, and institutional reform.
On security and foreign policy, early assessments suggested that Beyachad’s positions would align broadly with mainstream Israeli policy, including a firm stance on Iran and support for military action when deemed necessary, while also endorsing diplomatic efforts following military operations.
Domestically, the party has indicated support for a range of reforms, including changes to governance structures, potential limits on the prime ministerial tenure, and policies to broaden civic inclusion. Public statements by Bennett have also referenced support for civil marriage and certain liberalizing social policies, reflecting an attempt to appeal to a wider electorate.
The formation of Beyachad occurred in the context of ongoing political fragmentation in Israel and ahead of elections required by law to be held by late 2026. Polling at the time suggested that while the merger could strengthen the opposition, the party would likely need to form additional alliances to secure a governing majority.
Reactions to the alliance were mixed. Some opposition figures welcomed the consolidation as a necessary step toward electoral competitiveness. At the same time, critics, particularly from right-wing parties, characterized the merger as ideologically inconsistent and questioned its potential coalition partners.
Beyachad represents an effort to bridge ideological divides within Israel’s non-government political camp by uniting leaders with differing political backgrounds under a single electoral framework. Its formation reflects broader trends in Israeli politics, including coalition realignment, bloc consolidation, and the strategic merging of parties to enhance electoral viability.
Sources: Adi Nirman, Eli Zilberberg, “Bennett, Lapid to unite parties ahead of elections,” Israel Hayom, (April 26, 2026).
Sam Sokol, “‘Together’: Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid announce united run under Bennett in 2026 elections,” Times of Israel, (April 26, 2026).
Philissa Cramer, “Seismic shift in Israeli politics as opposition leaders Lapid and Bennett form joint party,” Forward, (April 26, 2026).
“Netanyahu’s rivals are joining forces. Would they shift Israel’s security policy?” Reuters, (April 27, 2026).
Steve Linde, “Bennett, Lapid unite ahead of 2026 elections,” CJN, (April 27, 2026).