Two of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s main political rivals have announced a joint political alliance aimed at unseating his coalition government in the upcoming election expected later this year.

Former prime ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid confirmed on Sunday that they are merging their political efforts under a new unified platform in an attempt to consolidate Israel’s fragmented opposition.

The alliance brings together Bennett’s right-wing political base and Lapid’s centrist bloc, which have been operating separately but share opposition to Netanyahu’s leadership.

Bennett’s office said the new party will be named “Together,” with Bennett serving as its leader.

In a joint televised statement, Bennett said the move was “the most Zionist and patriotic step” taken for Israel’s future, while Lapid said the partnership was aimed at ending internal divisions and focusing on electoral victory.

Lapid also described Bennett as a “right-wing politician, but an honest one,” adding that there is mutual trust between them.

Bennett said that if elected, he would establish a national inquiry into failures surrounding the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack, a proposal the current government has opposed.

The two leaders previously joined forces in 2021 to form a coalition that ended Netanyahu’s 12-year uninterrupted rule, though it lasted less than two years before collapsing. Netanyahu returned to power following the 2022 election.

Since the October 2023 conflict, Netanyahu has faced growing criticism over security failures and declining public support, with recent polls suggesting his Likud party remains competitive but under pressure from emerging opposition blocs.

Lapid, who represents Israel’s secular centrist voters, has also criticised the government over domestic policy and the burden of military service and taxation.