Yair Lapid Endorses Naftali Bennett as Prime Minister Candidate in Upcoming Elections

Yair Lapid, chairman of the Yesh Atid party, gave his first television interview in seven months on Saturday evening to Channel 12's "Meet the Press." In the interview, Lapid announced his support for Naftali Bennett as the candidate for prime minister in the upcoming elections. He explained that backing Bennett was part of a broader effort to replace the current government and establish a new national camp.

When asked if he had abandoned his own ambitions to return as prime minister, Lapid confirmed that he had, stating, "In this round, certainly yes, because I have placed myself behind Bennett as the prime minister." He described Bennett as "the right man in the right place at the right time," adding that Bennett was more suitable than himself or Gadi Eisenkot for the role at this moment.

Lapid emphasized the need for a right-wing leader with extensive experience, including having served as prime minister, defense minister, education minister, and economy minister, who has both formed and dissolved governments. He said Bennett fits this profile and is committed to forming a government without personal bias.

Regarding the cooperation between his party and Bennett's, despite a drop in poll numbers since their alliance was announced, Lapid expressed strong belief in the partnership. He said, "I believe this connection creates hope and strength." Addressing past criticisms Bennett made against him, Lapid remarked, "We have all said many things, but the question is what we do going forward." He added that even if he had known the alliance's polling challenges in advance, he would have made the same decision, stating, "When I believe in something, I fight for it."