Yair Lapid Details Night Call That Sparked Political Alliance With Naftali Bennett

Yair Lapid, leader of the opposition in Israel, gave his first television interview in seven months on July 4, 2026, revealing how a late-night phone call with Naftali Bennett led to their political union. Lapid explained that he put himself behind Bennett as the prime minister candidate in the current election cycle, emphasizing the strategic goal of forming a new "national camp" to replace the current government. He dismissed past tensions and accusations, including Bennett's alleged comment that Lapid was "toxic" to right-wing voters, stating that such remarks are irrelevant compared to their shared vision.

Lapid described the Israeli media environment as "a place of violent noise" and said he had chosen to focus on grassroots engagement rather than studio interviews during his hiatus. He acknowledged some distance in communication with Gadi Eisenkot but affirmed that Bennett maintains a close working relationship with Eisenkot, and that a political alliance including all three remains possible.

The opposition leader outlined his vision for a "national camp" that transcends traditional right-left divisions, focusing on integrating ultra-Orthodox Jews into the workforce and strengthening Israel's security with a firm stance against Iran, including calls to bomb Iranian energy facilities. Lapid also stressed that efforts to draft ultra-Orthodox soldiers should not rely on Arab parties' support, though he affirmed commitment to addressing the needs of Arab citizens.

Regarding the political future, Lapid expressed confidence that their bloc could secure 64-65 Knesset seats, forming a stable government without dependence on Arab parties. He defended the previous "change government" he led, highlighting its integrity and work ethic despite its fragility. On foreign policy, Lapid supported the maritime agreement with Lebanon but criticized the lack of coordination with Iran-related agreements, warning about Iranian financial transfers to Lebanon.

Lapid concluded by recounting his advice to Prime Minister Netanyahu since April 2024 to target Iran's energy infrastructure to destabilize its regime, a recommendation he said was met with hesitation. He reiterated his belief that Bennett is the right leader for Israel at this moment, putting his own ambitions aside to support Bennett's leadership.