Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett told the JNS policy conference Tuesday that he remains a right-winger — 'not extreme and not irresponsible' — and called for a broad government encompassing religious and secular, right and Zionist-left, to replace what he called the current 'very bad government.'
Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett delivered his latest pitch for a return to power at the JNS policy conference Tuesday morning, framing himself as a responsible, non-extreme right-winger seeking a broad unity government.
Bennett, who led Israel from 2021 to 2022, told the conference: 'I am a right-winger. I haven't changed my views, but I am not extreme and not irresponsible. My approach is simple: a responsible, statesmanlike right-wing government. To be sensible. To be practical.' He added, 'I want to establish a broad government that includes religious and secular, right-wingers and Zionist left-wingers — people who will live together and work together.'
Quoted by N12 (Channel 12), Bennett did not name specific coalition partners or a timeline for forming such a government. The remarks come as Bennett maintains a steady public campaign positioning himself as a unity alternative to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of a likely national ballot.
The Zioneer has reported extensively on Bennett's political push this month, including his June 15 press conference in which he called the current Netanyahu tenure a failure on security and governance grounds. In that speech, Bennett argued the government 'is no longer capable of advancing Israel.'
Bennett's conference appearance follows months of public criticism of the sitting government and a series of policy speeches aimed at broadening his appeal beyond his national-religious base. No new policy specifics were released from today's remarks.
2 developments
- StrongShvut Ra'anan says Bennett is right-winger who was wronged, in resurfaced interview
- DevelopingBennett says he would 'be a wheel' for Zionism, vows to replace 'very bad government'
- DevelopingBennett at JPPI: 'You can defeat the enemy, the next government will restore security'
- DevelopingBennett: Netanyahu incapable of deciding on Gaza, Lebanon, Iran fronts
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- Internal intake