Gilad Erdan Targets Former PM Naftali Bennett in New Right-Wing Party Campaign

Gilad Erdan, who recently returned to politics by founding a new right-wing party alongside Yuli Edelstein, has singled out former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett as a key political rival. In a social media post featuring the phrase "You Have Bennett Pains," Erdan directly challenged Bennett, signaling a strategic focus on competing for right-wing voters seeking alternatives to the current Likud leadership.

This move is notable given recent polling trends showing Gadi Eizenkot, leader of the "Yashar" party, overtaking Bennett as a significant opposition figure. Despite Eizenkot's rising prominence, Erdan appears to view Bennett as the more immediate competitor for their shared electoral base. Both politicians aim to attract right-wing voters dissatisfied with the Likud's current direction.

The rivalry follows reports that Bennett had approached Erdan to explore a political alliance, which Erdan declined. Erdan and Edelstein's new party is positioning itself as a liberal right-wing alternative. As the election campaign intensifies, Erdan's social media activity suggests a deliberate strategy to confront Bennett directly, highlighting the competitive dynamics within Israel's right-wing political landscape.