Yair Lapid
Yair Lapid is an Israeli politician of the centrist Yesh Atid party and a former journalist who has been the Leader of the Opposition since January 2023, having previously served in that role from 2020 to 2021. He had also previously served as the prime minister of Israel from 1 July to 29 December 2022, the second alternate prime minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs under Prime Minister Naftali Bennett from 2021 to 2022, and also as the Minister of Finance under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from 2013 to 2014. He is also the leader of Yesh Atid since the party's founding in 2012.
Standing...
Stories...
Jul 7, 2026
Far Left
Opposition leader Lapid has called for a renewed diplomatic initiative but has not articulated a concrete plan to end the war.
Hadash finds Lapid too centrist and cautious, faulting him for not strongly opposing the occupation and for failing to offer a credible left alternative.
Jul 6, 2026
Lean Left
Lapid leads Yesh Atid in opposition but struggles to present a coherent alternative amid internal rivalries.
Many in Labor and Meretz see him as the best hope to defeat Netanyahu but criticize his centrist caution on the occupation.
Jul 6, 2026
Lean Left
Lapid leads the opposition in the Knesset, criticizing the government's handling of the war and the economy.
He is seen as a key alternative, though some in Labor/Meretz believe he is not bold enough in confronting the far-right agenda.
Jul 6, 2026
Far Left
Lapid calls for a hostage deal and criticizes Netanyahu’s handling of the war.
While seen as less extreme, Hadash remains critical of his centrist support for security policies.
Jul 6, 2026
Lean Left
Lapid is leading opposition efforts in the Knesset against the budget and judicial overhaul.
Labor/Meretz regard him as a key centrist ally but criticize him for not fully embracing a two-state solution.
Jul 6, 2026
Far Left
Opposition leader Lapid calls for Netanyahu's removal and early elections, accusing him of failing on security and diplomacy.
Hadash supports Lapid's call for a change in government but remains wary of his centrist record on security, preferring a more principled leftist alternative.
Jul 4, 2026
Center
Lapid received a public endorsement from Bennett, solidifying his position as the leader of the anti-Netanyahu camp.
Yesh Atid views Lapid as the central figure of the opposition and the best hope for a government that does not rely on extremists.
Jul 4, 2026
Lean Left
Leading opposition criticism of Netanyahu's handling of the war and ignoring hostage families.
Center-left leader whom Labor/Meretz support as the most viable alternative, though they push him to be bolder on settlement freeze.
Jul 4, 2026
Far Left
Lapid called for a change in government but stopped short of endorsing conditions for a hostage deal.
Hadash views Lapid as insufficiently critical of the occupation, despite his opposition to Netanyahu.
Jul 3, 2026
Center
Implied as the beneficiary of Bennett's public loyalty statement, cementing his role as opposition leader.
Lapid is the focal point of the anti-Netanyahu camp, and this support reinforces his position ahead of any future elections.