Bennett and Lapid Unveil United Knesset List

The "Together" list, a joint venture between former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's party and Yair Lapid's Yesh Atid, has finalized its Knesset slate. The agreement allocates approximately 40% of the list's positions to Yesh Atid members. Bennett will lead the list at number one, followed by Lapid at number two. The top ten includes five women, fulfilling a 50% quota.

Significant political maneuvering preceded the list's completion. Bennett reportedly made a personal appeal to MK Chili Tropper to join the joint list, but Tropper ultimately declined, opting instead to align with Gadi Eisenkot. This decision influenced the final placement of candidates from both Bennett's and Lapid's factions.

Key placements include former government director-generals Keren Turner and Liran Avishar Ben-Horin from Bennett's camp, alongside prominent Yesh Atid figures like Merav Ben Ari, Noam Tibon, and Merav Cohen. The list also features Jonathan Shilo, described as the youngest candidate for the current Knesset, and former MKs Ram Ben Barak, Naor Shiri, and Vladimir Belyak from Yesh Atid.

The formation of the unified list has coincided with a wave of departures from Yesh Atid. Several veteran lawmakers, including Meir Cohen, Mickey Levy, and Karin Elharrar, have announced they will not seek re-election, attributed to the reduced number of realistic positions available following the merger. Lapid has framed these departures as a necessary "generational change" within the party, emphasizing the experience and capabilities of the new candidates.