The invitation follows Sunday’s announcement by Bennett and Lapid of their new unified party, Together, during which they also publicly called on Eisenkot to join them.
Eisenkot said he reached out on Monday to the parties he described as the “Hope Bloc” follwing the political merger of former prime ministers Bennett and Lapid.
The poll marks a shift after four consecutive surveys in which the opposition bloc held 61 seats without relying on Arab parties. It now falls to 59 seats, while the coalition rises from 49 to 51.
Talks between the two were long, intense, and crowded, taking place over several weeks. Those who spoke with them during this period heard many mutual compliments, although without understanding.
Members of the Netanyahu-led coalition and the opposition reacted to Bennett and Lapid's announcement that the two will form a joint list for the 2026 Knesset elections.
On paper, Bennett and Lapid had no business being allied. However, the personal trust between them is the central campaign promise.
Space has been left for Yashar! leader Gadi Eisenkot to join the former prime ministers' merger as well, Bennett’s office told The Jerusalem Post.
Hotovely, who served as Israel’s ambassador to the United Kingdom between 2020 and 2025, was unanimously approved by the government.
President Isaac Herzog said he would “fully welcome” the sides sitting down to work through the issue, in an interview with The Jerusalem Post last year.
The initiative, informally described as “Likud B,” is being advanced by right-wing figures, many of whom have had strained relations with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
At the start of Operation Roaring Lion, Likud held a six-seat lead over Bennett. Since then, however, Likud has lost three seats while Bennett has gained three.
