Former Netanyahu Aides Turn to Politics with Bennett

Liran Avishar Ben Hurin and Keren Terner, both former senior officials in governments led by Benjamin Netanyahu, are now entering politics on Naftali Bennett’s slate. Avishar Ben Hurin served as chief of staff in the Prime Minister’s Office and later as director-general of the Communications Ministry. Terner was director-general of the Transportation Ministry and the Finance Ministry, and later a partner at the private equity and venture capital firm Vintage.

The two made their first public appearance as Bennett’s initial recruits at a party activists’ event in Shoham, where they campaigned among attendees before he took the stage. They said their move signals that the country needs capable professionals, and that their presence as women matters. Avishar Ben Hurin said, “The state needs fixing, and it needs people who know how to work.” Terner added that the current government is pushing women out and lacks a professional female voice with their experience.

Both women described leaving lucrative private-sector roles for politics. Terner said the comfort of high-tech and finance did not replace her desire to return to public service, while Avishar Ben Hurin said she could not stand aside if the moment for change is now. Each pointed to Bennett as a pragmatic, liberal right-wing leader who can work across divides, and both said they are not worried by poor polling and still hope to cooperate with Gadi Eisenkot.

The interview also revisited their careers under Netanyahu and Israel Katz, and their criticism of how politics has changed. Avishar Ben Hurin said Netanyahu’s leadership deepened social rifts, while Terner said years in power have encouraged ministers to weaken professional work for political goals. They said their main policy priority is integrating the ultra-Orthodox into work, military service and state education. Avishar Ben Hurin argued that Israel does not have enough soldiers and needs a system that rewards service, while Terner said money flows through government channels that must be redirected. Both said Bennett’s camp is close to forming “a government of Zionist servants,” in their words, and that there is no other option but to win.