Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett attacked PM Netanyahu's call for a unity government at the Herzliya Conference, saying a draft exemption law and unity are contradictory. Bennett vowed to cancel every law harming IDF soldiers, stop funding for draft dodgers, and restore servicemen to the top of Israel's priorities when he forms the next government.
Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett (Together party) launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday, criticizing the premier's call for a national unity government delivered at the Herzliya Conference at Reichman University while Knesset legislation advancing Haredi draft exemptions is underway.
"Draft dodging and unity are opposites," Bennett said, according to N12. He described the current legislative process as a "disgrace in the Knesset" and outlined his legislative priorities for a future government: canceling every law that harms IDF soldiers, halting state funding for those evading military service, and returning those who serve to the top of the national agenda.
The former prime minister's comments come amid an ongoing political battle over Haredi conscription laws, which have polarized the current coalition. Bennett, who has previously described a fourth term of the current government as "national suicide" over the draft issue—as The Zioneer reported—has been positioning himself as a standard-bearer for the pro-service right-wing camp.
Bennett's challenge to Netanyahu's leadership is part of a wider jockeying within the political right ahead of a potential election cycle, with the former premier having recently called for merger talks with former war cabinet minister Gadi Eisenkot and vowing to defeat Netanyahu.
- StrongBennett calls on Eisenkot to join him for merger talks, says he can beat Netanyahu
- DevelopingEisenkot: Netanyahu 'not worthy of the nation' after pushing division, evading conscription
- DevelopingBennett: Government incapable of advancing Israel — vows election victory
- DevelopingGantz tells Netanyahu: if it's up to you, a government with Haredim and extremists will form
Source and signal
- Internal intake