The Take Inside the Israeli bloc that could topple Netanyahu
May 7, 2026
Mairav Zonszein, Senior Israel analyst and NYT contributor, sheds light on Israel’s shifting political landscape. She breaks down the Bennett-Lapid alliance and its internal tensions. She describes everyday life under prolonged conflict and the hidden psychological toll. She outlines what could make Netanyahu vulnerable and the coalition math needed to change power.
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Merger Is An Anti‑Netanyahu Coalition
- Bennett and Lapid united mainly as an anti-Netanyahu option rather than on shared policy ground.
- Their differing ideologies (Bennett right-wing, Lapid centrist) create voter mismatches that could limit broad support.
Everyday Life Is Defined By Perpetual War
- Israelis live in a near-constant state of war with repeated sheltering and instability since October 7th.
- Daily pressures include disrupted schools, northern border fires with Hezbollah, and routine breakdowns that sap political engagement.
Impunity Enables Recurring Military Responses
- Israelis tolerate repeated wars partly because the state bears proportionally low casualty costs and preserves overall normalcy.
- This structural impunity reduces pressure to seek political solutions to the Palestinian conflict.