From the Liveblog of
Thursday, April 30, 2026
Report: Bennett called Lapid ‘toxic’ days before announcing joint slate
Stav Levaton is a military reporter for The Times of Israel
Former prime minister Naftali Bennett privately dismissed a political alliance with Opposition Leader Yair Lapid as a strategic mistake just days before the two announced a joint slate, Channel 12 reports.
Citing multiple sources, the report says Bennett told associates in meetings shortly before the announcement that he would not unite with Lapid alone, reportedly saying, “Lapid is toxic, toxic, toxic.”
He further argued that such a partnership would repel right-wing voters rather than attract them.
Responding to the report, the newly formed Together party noted that its merger has propelled it to become the largest party in Israel, and argued that the only “toxic” force in Israeli politics is Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition, which it accused of advancing draft exemptions and dividing the country.
The Times of Israel Community.