Former prime minister Naftali Bennett on Tuesday called for the dissolution of the Knesset and outlined his policy priorities alongside opposition leader Yair Lapid at a campaign event in Tel Aviv.
The event marked the first major public appearance of their newly merged political alliance, operating under the name Together. Elections in Israel are expected to be held no later than October 2026.
Thousands of supporters gathered at a Tel Aviv expo venue for the kickoff rally, where Bennett delivered remarks laying out his vision for a potential future government.
What the Left Is Saying
Speaking at the event, Bennett said that if elected, an alliance led by Together would prioritize establishing a formal constitution for Israel. "We will build this country anew," Bennett told supporters, according to reports from the campaign event.
The former prime minister also outlined plans to reform Israel's education system and called for drafting ultra-Orthodox Jews, known as haredim, into military service with the Israel Defense Forces.
Bennett framed these proposals as part of a broader effort to "rebuild" the country following the October 7 attacks that occurred in previous years. He positioned the Together alliance as offering a path forward after what he described as a period of national crisis.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid appeared alongside Bennett at the event, though specific remarks from Lapid were not detailed in initial reports.
What the Right Is Saying
This article is based on reporting from a single campaign rally where only Bennett and his allies presented their platform. No statements from current government officials or other political opponents were available for inclusion in this report.
The absence of counter-perspectives reflects limitations in available source material at time of publication. Readers seeking reaction from the governing coalition or rival parties should consult additional coverage as it becomes available.
What the Numbers Show
The October 7 attacks, which Bennett referenced as a turning point, occurred in previous years and have been widely documented in official government assessments and international reporting on regional security developments.
Israel has operated without a formal constitution since its founding in 1948, relying instead on Basic Laws to govern. The country has held multiple elections in recent years, with the next vote expected no later than October 2026 according to standard electoral timelines.
The merged Together party represents an alliance between Bennett and Lapid, two figures who have previously served as prime minister but have faced political challenges in recent electoral cycles.
The Bottom Line
Bennett's call for Knesset dissolution and his outline of constitutional reform represent a significant policy proposal within Israeli political discourse. The former prime minister joins with Lapid to present an alternative platform ahead of anticipated October elections.
The proposal to establish a formal constitution would require substantial legislative support and represents one of the more sweeping structural changes discussed in recent Israeli politics. Education system reforms and military conscription for haredim have been debated topics in Israeli society for decades.
What happens next: Voters should monitor whether polling data emerges on support for Together's platform, how current governing coalition officials respond to these proposals, and whether the October election timeline is confirmed or adjusted.