Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett told the JNS policy conference that he remains a right-winger — 'not extreme and not irresponsible' — and defined right-wing policy as standing firm on national interests, not conceding territory, and opposing a Palestinian state, but without being what he termed 'a shmock' (an extreme irresponsible). Bennett called for a broad unity government, as The Zioneer previously reported.
Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett spoke at the JNS policy conference Tuesday morning, reiterating his self-definition as a right-winger while distancing himself from what he called 'extreme and irresponsible' politics. According to the N12 news flash, Bennett said: 'I am a right-winger. I haven't changed my views, but I am not a shmock (extreme and irresponsible). Being a right-winger means standing up for our national interests, not conceding territory, not allowing the establishment of a Palestinian state. Standing strong and determined. But that doesn't mean being an idiot.'
Bennett's remarks come amid ongoing coalition negotiations and his stated goal of replacing the current government with a broad unity coalition. As The Zioneer reported earlier Tuesday, Bennett told the same conference that he seeks a broad government encompassing religious and secular, right and Zionist-left. The former prime minister's definition of his ideological position offers a baseline for potential coalition partners, though no concrete agreements or formal coalition talks have emerged from the conference.
2 developments
- StrongShvut Ra'anan says Bennett is right-winger who was wronged, in resurfaced interview
- StrongBennett proposes Palestinian autonomy; MK Buaron attacks: 'He fooled us, left-wing dangerous'
- DevelopingBennett says he would 'be a wheel' for Zionism, vows to replace 'very bad government'
- DevelopingBennett interview sparks backlash: Smotrich warns of ‘terror state’ in West Bank
Source and signal
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