Brenner and Lapid Launch Joint Knesset List, Vowing National Renewal

Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, chairman of Yesh Atid, officially launched their joint Knesset list, named "Achadut" (Unity), for the upcoming 26th Knesset elections on October 27th. The launch event, held in Tel Aviv two days before the deadline for list submissions, signaled a significant political alliance between the right-leaning Bennett and the centrist Lapid.

Bennett, who will head the list, presented it as "Israel's team of doers," emphasizing competence and dedication over celebrity endorsements. He outlined an ambitious agenda, promising to establish a state commission of inquiry into the October 7th failures, integrate the Haredi community into employment and the military without quotas, declare Qatar an enemy state, dismantle monopolies, and restore "governance to Israel." He also proposed limiting prime ministerial terms to eight years and creating a unified state education system, calling it the "greatest social revolution since the state's founding."

Further policy proposals from Bennett included a tougher stance on the Haredi community, stating that those who do not enlist or work would not receive state funding, and asserting, "Whoever is not Zionist is not on my account." He also pledged to collect half a million illegal weapons, restore law and order across the country, and establish a constitution based on the Declaration of Independence.

Lapid, positioned second on the list, explained his decision to support Bennett for the premiership, citing Bennett's performance during difficult times as prime minister. He described Bennett as a "true liberal" despite his right-wing background and stressed the need for "big decisions" in challenging times, urging voters to focus on unity over minor differences. Lapid characterized the new list not just as a party but as a ready-made government.

The list features prominent figures including former director-generals Keren Turner and Liran Avishar Ben Horin, MK Meirav Ben Ari, and retired Major General Noam Tibon. The alliance between Bennett's party and Yesh Atid resulted in Lapid's party receiving approximately 40% of the list's positions, with an equal distribution of spots in the top ten.