Bennett and Lapid Join Forces in New Party 'Yachad'—Can They Reform Ultra-Orthodox Military Conscription?

A New Political Alliance in Israel

According to Главком: Former Israeli Prime Ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid have announced the merger of their political factions into a new party called 'Yachad' (Together), with Bennett set to lead it. This coalition could potentially become the largest party in the Knesset. A key goal of this new political entity is to push forward conscription reform, specifically mandatory military service for ultra-Orthodox men. The next Knesset elections are scheduled to take place by the end of October 2026.

Bennett is widely seen as the strongest challenger to current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is currently on trial for corruption charges. The new agreement between Bennett and Lapid does not include a rotation for the premiership, solidifying Bennett’s sole leadership. This move signals a clear intention to strengthen the new party’s position on Israel’s political stage.

Political Allegations and International Tensions

Amid these domestic developments, Joe Kent, former head of the National Counterterrorism Center, has accused Israel of manipulating the United States to provoke a conflict with Iran. Kent resigned over disagreements with the White House’s approach and gave an interview to Tucker Carlson, in which he refuted claims that Iran was preparing attacks comparable to 9/11 or Pearl Harbor. He also dismissed arguments from Secretary of State Marco Rubio about an imminent Iranian threat as false.

“Iran is not preparing attacks like 9/11 or Pearl Harbor”

Joe Kent

These political shifts in Israel continue to generate widespread debate. The new Yachad party, under Bennett’s leadership, could significantly reshape the country’s political landscape, especially amid ongoing international challenges and conflicts. The merger of Bennett and Lapid’s forces, along with their shared agenda, may become a major factor in shaping new political trends in Israel, particularly as tensions between the government and opposition intensify. This could also prompt other political players to adjust their strategies and potentially affect Israel’s relations with international partners.