Bennett and Liberman
Bennett and LibermanHadas Parush, Flash 90

According to a report on Kan Reshet Bet, the Yisrael Beytenu and Yamina parties have decided to join forces as a counterpoint to the influence of the predominantly Arab Joint List in the opposition.

Yamina and Yisrael Beytenu together comprise 12 seats as opposed to the 15 seats of the Joint List. With this move, the two right-wing parties will reportedly attempt to prevent the Joint List from taking any initiatives that are not to their liking, and will also do their best to be appointed to committees on which opposition MKs are permitted to sit.

They will likely also bring forward various right-wing proposals to embarrass Likud from the opposite direction, such as those related to the application of sovereignty and settlement in Judea and Samaria.

Another reason reportedly motivating their plan is that it would force the Yesh Atid party to reckon with their combined political strength. Yesh Atid's leader, Yair Lapid, is head of the opposition.

However, Yamina has denied the rumor, stating that "In contrast to reports, there is no pact between Yamina and Yisrael Beytenu."

"Yisrael Beytenu has become a symbol of hatred of Judaism, the religious and haredim, and it is also the party that dragged the state of Israel to three elections and prevented the establishment of a right-wing government."

"We have no intention of rewarding it for this in the opposition," read the statement.