Naftali Bennett
Naftali Bennett is an Israeli politician and former Prime Minister (2021–2022) currently positioning himself for a political return through sharp critiques of the government's security and social policies.
Naftali Bennett served as the 13th Prime Minister of Israel, leading the diverse 'Change Government' from June 2021 to June 2022. A former high-tech entrepreneur and commander in elite IDF units Sayeret Matkal and Maglan, Bennett's tenure was defined by the 'Octopus Doctrine,' which advocated for direct pressure on Iran rather than focusing solely on its regional proxies. Since leaving office, Bennett has remained a prominent voice in national discourse, particularly regarding security strategy and social resilience.
By mid-2026, Bennett has intensified his public activity, characterizing the current government's trajectory as a 'slow-motion national suicide.' He has specifically targeted Prime Minister Netanyahu's security narrative, accusing the administration of lying about the extent of Iran's nuclear progress. At the Herzliya Conference in July 2026, Bennett called Netanyahu's claims regarding Iranian atomic bombs a 'lie,' asserting that the story was being engineered for political purposes. This escalation coincides with reports that Bennett's personal communications were targeted by the Iranian-linked 'Khanzala' cyber group, a unit reportedly led by a senior Iranian intelligence official killed during Operation Roaring Lion.
Politically, Bennett is navigating a shifting landscape. While he recently rebranded his party as 'Beyachad' (Together), polling data from June and July 2026 shows a significant decline in his standing. Once the leading alternative to Netanyahu, Bennett has been overtaken in multiple surveys by former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot. Reports indicate Bennett's party dropped to approximately 17 seats, losing significant ground to Eisenkot's 'Yashar!' party. On the domestic front, Bennett has adopted a more centrist-leaning stance on Judea and Samaria, suggesting in a Kan 11 interview that illegal outposts should be evacuated and Areas A and B should form a Palestinian autonomy—a position that drew sharp condemnation from right-wing figures like Bezalel Smotrich.