Naftali Bennett Confirms Yair Lapid Will Receive Key Role in Next Government

Former Prime Minister and leader of the Yachad movement, Naftali Bennett, strongly denies reports that Yesh Atid chairman Yair Lapid is being sidelined in the party's election campaign. In a radio interview with 103fm, Bennett emphasized that both continue to campaign vigorously across Israel, holding joint and separate events to reach voters.

When asked about Lapid's future role, Bennett praised him as an excellent former Foreign Minister who could reprise that role. He highlighted Lapid's initiative in organizing the Negev conference, which brought together foreign ministers from various countries, underscoring the strength of their political alternative.

Bennett also dismissed any regrets about their joint run, stressing their commitment to working together despite ideological differences, Bennett identifies as a right-wing nationalist opposed to a Palestinian state, while Lapid is centrist and skeptical about a Palestinian state emerging soon. Bennett emphasized their shared focus on domestic issues like lowering prices of cheese and housing.

Regarding his past tenure as prime minister, Bennett explained why he did not recruit ultra-Orthodox parties, and reflected on their joint leadership in two of Israel's most effective governments in recent decades: the 2013 change government and his own 2021 government. He concluded by affirming their goal to replace the current government, stating, "This is what we are going to do."