Journalist Claims Former PM Bennett Is More Advantageous for Israeli Left Than Gadi Eizenkot

Dmitry Shumski, a journalist for Haaretz, argued that former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett is actually better for the political left than Gadi Eizenkot, the former IDF Chief of Staff. Shumski explained that while both are expected to continue policies supporting the occupation and apartheid between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, their approaches differ significantly.

According to Shumski, Eizenkot positions himself as a centrist, sometimes center-left but mostly center-right, maintaining and possibly deepening control over the Palestinian population under the guise of moderation and security needs. In contrast, Bennett is openly ideological right-wing, strongly committed to the principle of Greater Israel and the Jewish people's exclusive national self-determination in the land, a stance he has consistently expressed since his time as CEO of the Yesha Council.

Shumski suggests that under an ideological right-wing government like Bennett's, the left would find it easier to confront and challenge the occupation's fundamental questions, which is less likely under a hollow centrist leadership quietly implementing right-wing policies. He concludes that paradoxically, given Israel's current political climate, Bennett might be more beneficial for the left's cause than Eizenkot.