Report: Bennett Considered Splitting From Lapid, Then Denied It

Naftali Bennett recently examined the possibility of ending his political partnership with Yair Lapid, according to a report by Michael Shemesh on Channel 13. The reported consideration came amid poor polling for the Yachad party, internal campaign tensions, and growing disagreements between the two sides.

Sources in Yachad said Bennett’s camp was deeply dissatisfied with Lapid’s conduct, accusing him of failing to deliver on promises tied to field operations, volunteer recruitment, and other organizational matters. The friction was described as longstanding, and just last week a senior figure in Bennett’s circle was quoted sharply attacking Lapid, saying, “Lapid is a bomb inside the campaign.”

The report said it was still unclear whether a breakup was realistically on the table, but that it had been under review and could have major political consequences for the party’s future. Yachad quickly denied the claim, issuing a blunt response: “It never happened.”

Bennett also publicly rejected the report in a statement on Friday evening. He said, “Lapid and I are not only talking unity, we are making unity. We will try to expand the alliance,” adding, “The report is not true. The only way to win is a united bloc. We need to unite the entire bloc.”