Bennett Reaffirms His Views After Controversy Over Settlement Remarks

Naftali Bennett, chairman of the Yachad party, said on Tuesday that he has not changed his positions on illegal construction in Judea and Samaria, after a clip aired Monday on Kan News from the podcast "Hamanhig" sparked backlash. In remarks at the JNS conference, Bennett said, "My ideological positions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict are clear. I am a man of the right, I have not changed my opinions, but I am not extremist and not irresponsible." He added that being on the right means defending national interests, not giving up land, and not allowing a Palestinian state, while also warning, "but that does not mean being stupid."

Bennett, who previously served as head of the Yesha Council, told interviewer Shaul Amsterdamski in the podcast that he would act to remove illegal construction in Judea and Samaria. He said legal building in Area C, on state land that is not privately owned by Palestinians, is welcome, but construction that is illegal, outside Area C, or on private land is not legitimate.

He also said, "I live in Ra'anana, I will not let you build suddenly on land that belongs to me. What is not legal, will not happen." Bennett said he supports legal settlement in Area C because, in his view, it will eventually be part of Israel, while Areas A and B will be part of a Palestinian autonomy. The remarks were highlighted after Kan News posted the segment on June 22, 2026, and the issue continued to draw attention in the right-wing camp.