Pollster: Bennett's Political Career May End Over Netanyahu Dilemma
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
Pollster Shlomo Philber believes Naftali Bennett's plan to lead the bloc opposing Benjamin Netanyahu has failed, leaving him at a political crossroads. Bennett must choose between moves that could end his career or rejoining right-wing elements to regain a path to premiership. Philber noted that Bennett's potential allies, like Lieberman and Eisenkot, are not in strong positions. The pollster warned that supporting efforts to oust Netanyahu could be the end of Bennett's political future.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Pollster Shlomo Philber says Naftali Bennett's plan to lead the anti-Netanyahu bloc has collapsed.
- Philber warns that moves against Netanyahu could end Bennett's political career.
- Bennett faces a dilemma: oust Netanyahu or rejoin the right to seek premiership.
- Potential allies like Lieberman and Eisenkot are not in strong political positions.
- Bennett's desire to be prime minister again may drive him back to right-wing factions.
News 14 pollster Shlomo Philber stated that Naftali Bennett's plan to lead the bloc opposing Benjamin Netanyahu has collapsed. Philber explained that Bennett is now facing a critical choice: either to advance moves against Netanyahu, which could end his political career, or to rejoin elements of the right to preserve his chances of returning as Prime Minister.
Philber elaborated that Bennett had hoped to become the leader of the anti-Netanyahu bloc, receive the mandate to form a government, and use that position for political negotiations. However, the exit poll results disrupted this strategy. "His grand plan has essentially collapsed," Philber said, adding that Bennett had hoped to "defect to the other side, be the head of the bloc, get the mandate, and go with it."
Furthermore, Philber noted that Bennett's potential allies are not in strong positions. He mentioned that Bennett wanted Lieberman as a partner, but Lieberman's party is very small, if it will even pass the electoral threshold. He also suggested that Gadi Eisenkot's presence in the political arena has kept Bennett's party smaller than anticipated.
Philber warned that Bennett's dilemma could lead to the end of his political career. Supporting a "accused law" to oust Netanyahu might alienate him from the right-wing camp. "He will find himself now trapped in this dilemma: to go for this 'accused law' event and bring him down, that is the end of his political career," Philber cautioned.
Conversely, Philber suggested that Bennett's desire to return to the premiership might lead him to seek partnerships with right-wing factions again. If Bennett realizes he cannot achieve his goal without reconnecting with parts of the right, he may pursue that path, especially after failing to do so through the left. "Bennett's desire to be prime minister again is much greater," Philber stated.