Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, in a new interview with The Times of Israel, describes the current moment as existential, warns that four more years of the current government would leave Israel without a society, and makes his case for why he should be the next prime minister.
Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has published his most expansive public case yet for returning to the premiership, in an interview with The Times of Israel published Friday morning. The former PM, who sat for the interview at his Ra'anana headquarters with editor David Horovitz and political correspondent Tal Schneider, described the current moment as 'existential' and argued that four more years of the current government would leave Israel without a society.
Bennett's remarks add a long-form, personal dimension to a months-long public campaign ahead of a likely election. As The Zioneer has previously reported, Bennett has called on former war cabinet minister Gadi Eisenkot to enter merger talks (June 16), signaled openness to serving under Eisenkot in a replacement government (June 16), and repeatedly criticized Prime Minister Netanyahu's strategy on Iran and the Haredi conscription issue (June 14-15).
The interview — which the Times is promoting heavily — represents Bennett's attempt to frame himself as a credible alternative to Netanyahu rather than merely a critic. The full interview and its political impact remain to be seen.
- DevelopingBennett: Another four years with this government, we won't have a society
- DevelopingBennett: Government incapable of advancing Israel — vows election victory
- StrongBennett signals readiness to serve under Eisenkot in a replacement government
- DevelopingBennett at JPPI: 'You can defeat the enemy, the next government will restore security'
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