Likud MK Avichai Boaron slams Bennett over Palestinian autonomy remarks

Likud MK Avichai Boaron attacked former prime minister Naftali Bennett on Tuesday over Bennett’s statement that “Areas A and B will be part of a Palestinian autonomy.” Boaron argued that “Palestinian autonomy is a Palestinian state in Judea and Samaria,” and said, “The man is full left.”

Boaron also accused Bennett of responsibility for the demolition of the outpost of Amona and for the evacuation of his own home. He said that when Bennett led the Religious Zionist camp, Bennett agreed or enabled the evacuation because he opposed a clause in the Regulation Law. Boaron added that Bennett “led him by deception” late at night at Rabbi Chaim Druckman’s home, lied “blatantly,” and “in effect fooled all of us and enabled the evacuation of the community.”

He further questioned Bennett’s stance on demolitions on private land, citing former attorney general Avichai Mandelblit’s claim that there are 3,500 homes on private land. Boaron mentioned that 70% of Ofra is on private land, and that there are hundreds of homes in Beit El, Shiloh and Eli, asking, “Who does he want to evict, Naftali Bennett?”

Boaron also cast doubt on Bennett’s suitability for a political comeback, calling him “dangerous left-wing” and saying he would say whatever his election script requires. He described Bennett as “a person without moral backbone” and said he is not fit to lead Israel. On Likud’s internal politics, Boaron said the party’s strength comes from its 161,000 dues-paying members, and argued for a balance between primaries and chairman’s reserved slots to build a stronger electoral list.