JERUSALEM — Opposition leader Yair Lapid publicly urged former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot to join the Together party alliance during a Knesset press conference on June 1, 2026. Lapid, who formed the alliance with Naftali Bennett, said unity among opposition factions is essential to defeating Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government in elections scheduled no later than October 27, 2026.

Lapid’s appeal came as recent polling indicated shifting support among opposition parties. A Maariv poll published May 29 showed the Together party at 22 seats, down six from a previous survey, while Eisenkot’s Yashar! party rose to 17 seats, gaining two. Since the Together alliance was formed, Yashar! has gained five seats in Maariv polling.

"I want to call out from here to Gadi Eisenkot. I want to say two words to him: Gadi, come. You are a man of values, a man who loves this country," Lapid said. "I believe in your good intentions. I respect your abilities. Come – join us. A partnership between us will win the election and save the State of Israel. For the sake of our children, Gadi, come."

Lapid argued that electoral victory depends on consolidating the opposition. "I am putting all my experience and knowledge behind one conviction: in order to win, we must first unite the camp," he said.

The Knesset was scheduled to hold the first reading of a bill to dissolve itself on the night of June 1, 2026. Lapid said, "The Knesset will vote today in its first reading on dissolving the Knesset and going to elections." Eisenkot has not accepted the offer to join the Together list or assume the second position on it.