Amichai Shikli Brands Naftali Bennett Israel’s Biggest Political Fraud

Amichai Shikli, Israel’s Minister for the Diaspora and Combating Antisemitism from the Likud party, harshly criticized Naftali Bennett, chairman of the Yachad party, in a post on X on Sunday. Shikli accused Bennett of being the biggest political fraud in Israel, stating he had encountered many swindlers but none compared to Bennett, whom he called "the Madoff of Israeli politics." This attack followed Bennett’s recent interview on Channel 12, where he revealed private discussions during the critical days between Operation Guardian of the Walls and the formation of what Shikli terms the "government of deceit and fraud" led by Bennett himself.

Shikli confirmed that he met with Bennett on May 5, 2021, just before letters opposing the formation of Bennett’s government were published. He described the meeting as initially optimistic but said it turned chaotic when Bennett became emotional and demanded Shikli return the mandate to form a government if he failed to establish a national government. Shikli recounted that Bennett pressured him to resign and that Bennett’s close associate, journalist Yair Sharqi, conveyed that a coalition with the Ra’am party was off the table due to security concerns following violent incidents in mixed cities and Hamas rocket attacks.

Shikli also criticized Bennett and former Knesset member Ayelet Shaked during a Likud political conference in Petah Tikva, highlighting the complex relationship he had with his former party leaders during the formation of the change government, which he opposed. He revealed that Bennett had offered him diplomatic posts, including head of the Jewish Agency, to remove him from the Knesset. Shikli’s remarks underscore ongoing tensions within the right-wing camp and his firm opposition to Bennett’s political maneuvers.

The controversy reflects deep divisions in Israeli politics over Bennett’s leadership and the alliances formed during a turbulent period marked by security challenges and political realignments. Shikli’s statements are likely to fuel further debate about Bennett’s legacy and the stability of right-wing factions ahead of future elections.