Yair Lapids Yesh Atid Goes From 24 Seats to Political Freefall
Yair Lapid's Yesh Atid party is experiencing significant member departures and a drop in polls, preparing for a merger with Naftali Bennett's list for the 26th.
Jerusalem, 2 September, 2026 (TPS-IL) — The center-left party Yesh Atid, chaired by MK Yair Lapid, is facing a dramatic wave of departures by senior party officials, as it struggles with a sharp decline in the polls and prepares to merge its electoral list with Naftali Bennett’s “Beyachad” (Together) ahead of the 26th Knesset election.
Several Yesh Atid MKs have reportedly been told that they will not receive realistic positions on the new list because seats are being reserved for Bennett’s candidates. The warnings have prompted a number of lawmakers to announce they will end their parliamentary careers.
Founded in 2013, Yesh Atid won 19 seats in its first election and 24 in the most recent one, but current projections suggest that only six to eight of its sitting MKs are likely to return for the next term. The full list and final placement of candidates are expected to be formally announced Saturday night.