Bennett Open to Lieberman or Eisenkot as PM, Slams Netanyahu
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said he would support Avigdor Lieberman or Gadi Eisenkot for Prime Minister if needed, stating he would be a "wheel" to save Israel. In an interview, Bennett also accused Benjamin Netanyahu of severe betrayal regarding Qatari funding and criticized his past decisions on security matters. He proposed cutting state payments to draft dodgers and called Qatar an enemy state. Bennett also warned voters against supporting former Brigadier General Ofer Winter, calling him a Netanyahu proxy.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Naftali Bennett is open to supporting Avigdor Lieberman or Gadi Eisenkot as Prime Minister.
- Bennett accused Benjamin Netanyahu of severe betrayal concerning Qatari funding during wartime.
- Bennett proposed cutting state payments to individuals who avoid military conscription.
- Bennett called for Qatar to be declared an enemy state due to its alleged anti-Israel campaign.
- Bennett warned voters that supporting Ofer Winter is a vote for Benjamin Netanyahu.
- Bennett claimed Netanyahu "surrendered" during the 2021 Flag March, calling him "Israel's biggest surrenderer."
Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett stated in an interview with Ben Caspit on Walla that he is not ruling out Avigdor Lieberman or Gadi Eisenkot as potential Prime Ministers, emphasizing his willingness to serve as a "wheel" if necessary to form a government and save Israel. Bennett clarified that while he sees himself as a candidate for Prime Minister, he would not let ego prevent him from supporting another leader if the political situation demanded it, particularly within the center-right bloc.
Bennett also launched a strong attack on Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him of severe betrayal for allegedly allowing advisors to receive Qatari money during wartime. He called for Qatar to be declared an enemy state, citing its "most destructive campaign against us since the Nazis," and demanded a full investigation into the advisors' actions. Bennett further criticized Netanyahu's handling of the 2021 Flag March, calling him the "biggest surrenderer in Israeli history" for allegedly capitulating to Hamas threats, contrasting it with his own decision to proceed with the march during his premiership.
Regarding the issue of military conscription, Bennett proposed that individuals who do not enlist should not receive state payments, stating, "Anyone who doesn't enlist won't get a shekel, and anyone who doesn't work won't get a shekel." He also addressed the candidacy of retired Brigadier General Ofer Winter, labeling him as a proxy for Netanyahu and warning voters against supporting him, asserting that voting for Winter is a direct vote for a "Bibi government."
Bennett also commented on the testimony of former Military Secretary Avi Gill, suggesting that Netanyahu engaged in criminal activity by retroactively altering security protocols, an act he described as a dangerous attempt to rewrite history. He praised the stenographers for not cooperating with any alleged cover-up.
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