Erel Segal says Bennett’s new campaign tactic is “the right move”

Commentator and host Erel Segal praised former prime minister Naftali Bennett on Sunday for changing direction in his campaign. Speaking on 103FM, Segal said Bennett was making a “politically correct” move by accusing Channels 12 and 14 of promoting Gadi Eisenkot at his expense, because it traps Eisenkot politically and exposes tensions in the bloc.

Segal argued that polling shows the Bennett-Eisenkot alliance is underperforming, saying the two together are getting fewer seats and that Eisenkot has even overtaken them in some surveys. In his view, this leaves them frustrated, and if they cannot break up the partnership, their only option would be to run under Eisenkot’s leadership.

The comments followed reporting by Michael Shemesh that Bennett had privately charged that “Channels 12 and 14 have joined together to promote Eisenkot.” Bennett allegedly said Likud wants to present the former chief of staff as the main rival to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu because Eisenkot is a “convenient” opponent. He also claimed Eisenkot is a man of the right and that only a right-wing candidate could win power.

According to Bennett, Likud’s negative campaign against Eisenkot has significantly boosted him. The broader dispute centers on media coverage, political positioning, and the struggle over who will emerge as Netanyahu’s main challenger.