Bennett Sparks Outrage by Not Ruling Out Netanyahu as Minister
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
Yamina party chairman Naftali Bennett has caused a stir by not ruling out Benjamin Netanyahu serving as a minister in a future government. Bennett's comments were met with strong opposition from other opposition leaders, including Gadi Eisenkot, Avigdor Lieberman, and Yair Golan, who all rejected the possibility of Netanyahu serving in any government role. The critics cited Netanyahu's responsibility for the October 7th failures and his government's policies as reasons for their refusal to cooperate.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Naftali Bennett suggested he would not oppose Benjamin Netanyahu serving as a minister in a future government.
- Gadi Eisenkot stated that anyone in office on October 7th is unfit for leadership roles.
- Avigdor Lieberman demanded Bennett retract his statement and vowed Netanyahu would not serve.
- Yair Golan declared Netanyahu would not be part of any government his party is in.
- Bennett cited core principles like an inquiry commission and conscription as conditions for Netanyahu's potential role.
Naftali Bennett, chairman of the Yamina party, has ignited controversy within the left-wing bloc by suggesting he would not oppose Benjamin Netanyahu serving as a minister in a government that includes him. Speaking at a Ha'aretz newspaper election event, Bennett stated, "As long as we accept the fundamental principles, I have no problem with Netanyahu being a minister in our government." He praised Netanyahu's past tenure as Finance Minister in 2003 but questioned if the then-nearly 80-year-old leader still possessed the necessary energy, adding that Netanyahu would need to agree to core principles like an immediate state inquiry commission and conscription for all. Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the National Unity party, rejected the idea, asserting that anyone in office on October 7th is unfit for leadership roles, including Finance Minister. Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of Yisrael Beiteinu, urged Bennett to retract his statement, declaring that Netanyahu would not serve in any capacity in the next government, not even as minister for regional cooperation. Yair Golan, chairman of the Democratic Party, also firmly stated that Netanyahu would not be part of any government they are in, citing his responsibility for the October 7th failures, promoting draft evasion during wartime, and advancing a judicial overhaul. Golan emphasized that his party would not legitimize Netanyahu's return to power and would not sit with him or his allies.
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