Bennett Open to Netanyahu as Minister; Coalition Partners Reject Idea
Translated & summarized from i24NEWS by baba
Naftali Bennett, chairman of the Together party, said he is open to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu serving as a minister in his government if key principles are accepted. This statement caused an uproar among Bennett's "change bloc" partners, including Yair Golan, Avigdor Lieberman, and Gadi Eisenkot, who all strongly rejected any possibility of sitting with Netanyahu. They cited Netanyahu's responsibility for the October 7th failures and his government's policies as reasons for their opposition.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Naftali Bennett is open to Benjamin Netanyahu serving as a minister in his government.
- Yair Golan stated Netanyahu will not serve in any government if it depends on the Democrats.
- Avigdor Lieberman urged coalition partners to reject any possibility of sitting with Netanyahu.
- Gadi Eisenkot believes anyone in leadership on October 7th is unfit for command.
- Bennett cited Netanyahu's past performance as Finance Minister in 2003.
- Bennett's openness to Netanyahu sparked strong opposition from coalition partners.
Naftali Bennett, chairman of the Together party, stated Sunday that he would not rule out the possibility of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu serving as a minister in his government, provided core principles are met. Bennett explained that if Netanyahu accepts fundamental tenets such as an immediate state inquiry commission, universal conscription, and adherence to "the constitution for Israel," he could serve. Bennett recalled Netanyahu's tenure as Finance Minister in 2003 as particularly effective, though he questioned if an "80-year-old Jew" still possessed the necessary energy.
Bennett's remarks sparked immediate backlash from his "change bloc" partners. Yair Golan, chairman of the Democrats party, declared on X that Netanyahu would not serve in any government if it depended on the Democrats, citing his responsibility for the October 7th failures and his government's promotion of draft evasion and judicial overhaul. "With Netanyahu and his partners, we will not sit. Period," Golan stated.
Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of Yisrael Beiteinu, echoed this sentiment, urging his "Zionist bloc" colleagues to make it clear that they would not sit with Netanyahu under any circumstances, not even as a minister for regional cooperation. Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the Yisrael party, also voiced his opposition, stating that anyone in a leadership position on October 7th is unfit for command or leadership roles, including Finance Minister.
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