Skip to main content

Rival for Israeli vote emerges in Lapid's own camp

Prime Minister Yair Lapid though opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu would be his most dangerous rival, but now Defense Minister Benny Gantz also emerged as an opponent.
Ilia Yefimovich/Getty Images

The press had predicted that when he entered the prime minister’s office last month, Yair Lapid would lead the bloc of parties running against opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu in the next election. According to public opinion polls published after he took office, Lapid is expected to win around 22 seats in the Nov. 1 election, making him leader of the second-largest party after Netanyahu’s Likud. Running as a sitting prime minister has its advantages as well.

However, in the last two weeks, Defense Minister Benny Gantz has positioned himself as an alternative to Lapid. How did that happen?

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.