Yair Lapid Claims Victory Despite Yesh Atid Collapse in Knesset Elections
Following the 26th Knesset elections, outgoing coalition and Likud seats dropped as Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid suffered a dramatic collapse to five mandates despite a joint run with Naftali Bennett.
Following the final election results for the 26th Knesset, the Israeli political arena has been dominated by discussions over the sharp decline of the outgoing coalition, which fell from 64 to 53 seats, alongside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Likud party, dropping from 32 to 27 mandates. However, the most striking shift centers on the dramatic plunge of Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid.
While Lapid's faction held 24 seats in the outgoing parliament, his recent alliance with BeYachad leader Naftali Bennett secured a combined total of 12 mandates, leaving Yesh Atid with only five sitting lawmakers in the new legislature. Addressing the outcome on Friday, Lapid claimed victory despite the heavy losses.
The joint list is set to send 12 candidates to the parliament scheduled to be sworn in on November 10. Alongside Bennett, six representatives from his faction secured mandates, while Yesh Atid placed four candidates alongside Lapid.
Reflecting on the results, Lapid acknowledged that the outcome fell short of a decisive knockout. "We received a massive Israeli majority that declared what it wants," Lapid wrote, urging supporters to exercise patience as complex coalition negotiations begin.
Meanwhile, Likud officials highlighted that the electoral collapse of Yesh Atid had long been predicted. Prime Minister Netanyahu previously warned Lapid from the Knesset podium about his sliding support, while other coalition members openly mocked the opposition leader's dwindling political standing.
