Lapid Backs Alliance With Bennett After Report of Possible Split

Opposition leader Yair Lapid responded Tuesday morning to a Channel 13 report that former prime minister and Yesh Atid partner Naftali Bennett had considered ending their political partnership and running alone again. Lapid wrote on X that a "machine of poison" was spreading claims that "Lapid and Bennett are considering separating," dismissing them as fake news from anonymous sources aimed at hurting what threatens them.

Lapid said he and Bennett had decided to respond publicly this time. He quoted Bennett as saying at a press conference that the report was false, and added, "I am not only completely at peace with this union, it will also save the State of Israel and win the election."

In its main evening broadcast on Monday, Channel 13 reported that Bennett had weighed the move in recent days because of falling poll numbers and disagreements inside the partnership. Lapid said the reaction from critics showed they fear "a connection between the center and the liberal right, and even more, a connection between two brothers who already beat them once."

Last week, Channel 13 reported that senior figures in Bennett’s camp spoke harshly about Lapid, even calling him a "terror attack." At this stage, the chances of the partnership breaking up remain unclear. People around Bennett have said Lapid drove away right-wing voters who supported Bennett, while strategist Lior Chorev, appointed recently, has struggled to pull the party out of crisis. Party sources said major clashes have taken place among campaign leaders, which may soon force Bennett to make a decision.