Lapid’s discrete campaign for premiership gains momentum

Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid has not declared himself a candidate for prime minister, but he is clearly positioning himself as the real threat to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
A man walks past election billboards of the Israeli Likud party (R to L) showing the face of Prime Minister and Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu with the tagline "leader", and another showing Netanyahu with political opponent Yair Lapid with text in Hebrew reading "the next prime minister: Lapid or Netanyahu", in the southern Israeli city of Beersheba on March 15, 2021, ahead of the election due later in the month. (Photo by HAZEM BADER / AFP) (Photo by HAZEM BADER/AFP via Getty Images)
Election billboards for Israel's Likud party (R to L) show the face of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with the tagline "leader" and Netanyahu with political opponent Yair Lapid with text in Hebrew reading "the next prime minister: Lapid or Netanyahu," in the southern Israeli city of Beersheba on March 15, 2021, ahead of the election due later in the month. - HAZEM BADER/AFP via Getty Images
Mazal Mualem
Mazal Mualem
@mazalm3

It seems bizarre, but the most powerful political leader in the center-left camp, Yesh Atid chair Yair Lapid, has still not announced that he is running against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the position of prime minister.

As head of the opposition, Lapid has been growing stronger over the last few weeks. Polls show him winning as many as 20 seats, and his standing is improving in rankings of which politician is best suited to serve as prime minister. Nevertheless, he will not admit that he is running for prime minister.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.

Videos

See more