JERUSALEM — Opposition Leader Yair Lapid rejected Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's call for a broad national unity government on June 29, 2026. Lapid accused Netanyahu of attempting to take votes from the opposition bloc ahead of the upcoming elections, which are scheduled to occur no later than October 27, 2026.

Netanyahu stated during a press conference on June 28, 2026, that he intends to establish a broad national government and called for unity. Lapid made his remarks at a faction press conference in the Knesset for the Together Party, where he accused Netanyahu's call for a unity government as part of efforts to establish satellite parties to take votes from the opposition bloc.

Lapid referred to reports of a potential alliance between Netanyahu, Blue and White party leader MK Benny Gantz, and Reservist Party leader Yoaz Hendel. Benny Gantz and Yoaz Hendel have not ruled out sitting in a government with Netanyahu.

"You will never form another government in Israel," Lapid declared. "There will be elections, and you will lose." Lapid pledged not to sit in a government with Netanyahu after the elections.

Lapid outlined his vision for a future government and articulated his reasons for not joining a government with Netanyahu. "A man who was prime minister on October 7 and did not take responsibility, who legitimized Kahanism, normalized corruption, sanctified draft evasion, and above all, built his entire political career on hatred and incitement - we will not sit with him," Lapid said.

Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot stated that Netanyahu calling for unity was a paradox. "He is working against universal service and is trying to pass a draft-evasion law," Eisenkot said. He also noted, "He is trying to establish a political commission of inquiry when nearly 70% of Israeli citizens want a genuine state commission of inquiry." The coalition has been fast-tracking legislation in recent weeks, including the Basic Law: Torah Study, and is establishing a political commission of inquiry into the October 7 Hamas attacks.

Eisenkot added, "The real test is not slogans or public relations - it is actions." Democrats leader Yair Golan described the unity government proposal as Netanyahu's new spin. "I want to address my colleagues who might be confused: forming a government with Netanyahu is like going on a date with a Tinder scammer; you simply don't do it," Golan commented.