Likud's Amichai Shikli Condemns Naftali Bennett as Never a Legitimate Prime Minister

Amichai Shikli, the Israeli Minister of Diaspora Affairs from the Likud party, launched a fierce critique against former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett during an interview on the podcast hosted by "Hayom" reporter Shirit Aviton Cohen. The discussion intensified when Aviton Cohen shared a private conversation she had with Bennett, in which she accused him of accepting the prime ministership with only six Knesset seats out of a desire for the position itself. Bennett reportedly responded that his motivation was pure love for the country and the people of Israel, aiming to save the nation during a difficult time.

Shikli strongly rejected Bennett's explanation, calling it a deception and accusing him of misleading voters. "He deceived, cheated, and lied to the voters. I was shocked by his conduct," Shikli said. He questioned Bennett's claim to the six seats and the right to those votes, emphasizing that Bennett had promised a right-wing government but failed to deliver. Shikli further stated that Bennett's government did not implement radical changes or extreme left-wing policies, but the very act of forming a government with such a small mandate was unprecedented and unacceptable.

He concluded by saying Bennett was never truly prime minister, describing him as a puppet who merely sat in the chair without legitimate authority. This harsh criticism reflects ongoing tensions within Israeli politics regarding Bennett's brief tenure and the coalition he led.