Former Israeli prime ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid said they will run on a joint list in upcoming elections, aiming to unseat incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"I am pleased to announce that tonight, together with my friend Yair Lapid, I am taking the most Zionist and patriotic step we have ever taken for our country," Bennett said in a joint televised statement with Lapid.

"Tonight, we are uniting and founding the Beyahad (Together) party under my leadership, a party that will lead to a great victory and open a new era for our beautiful country."

During the televised statement, Lapid said: "Bennett is a right-wing politician, but an honest one, and there is trust between us."

Earlier on Sunday, Lapid, himself a former premier, had said he would join forces with Bennett.