As Israel’s October 27 election approaches, former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has leveled sharp criticism at current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him of leading a divisive political campaign that could incite violence against political adversaries. In a recent interview tied to the release of his new book, Bennett depicted Netanyahu’s leadership style as increasingly authoritarian. He also accused political and media allies of Netanyahu of promoting hostile rhetoric targeted at his opponents.
Bennett expressed particular concern for Gadi Eisenkot, a significant challenger to Netanyahu. He cautioned that the continuous political attacks could lead some to perceive opposition figures as enemies, potentially resulting in violence. Reflecting on the power transition in 2021, Bennett recalled a warning from Netanyahu that forming a coalition with anti-Netanyahu parties would provoke an intense political backlash, which Bennett admitted he had underestimated.
In addition to his domestic political warnings, Bennett criticized Netanyahu’s handling of Iran’s growing nuclear threat between 2018 and 2021. Bennett claimed that during his tenure as prime minister, his administration enhanced intelligence and military preparations, which later played a crucial role in Israel’s ability to successfully target Iranian interests.
On domestic governance, Bennett has reversed his stance on the issue of term limits for Israeli prime ministers, now supporting their implementation. As the election draws nearer, Bennett stated he is willing to collaborate with other opposition leaders to prevent Netanyahu from securing another term, even if it means accepting a diminished political role for himself.