Yaïr Ansbacher Announces Support for Naftali Bennett as Prime Minister

Yaïr Ansbacher, a fellow at the Meir Amit National Security Institute, declared in a detailed post that he has decided to support Naftali Bennett for Prime Minister. He emphasized that this decision followed lengthy deliberation and is made independently, without any coordination or compensation from Bennett, who is reportedly unaware of the announcement. Ansbacher described the upcoming elections as critical for Israel's future and acknowledged that none of the main candidates fully align with his ideal vision. However, he stressed the necessity of choosing among the available options.

Ansbacher sharply criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him of security failures, deepening societal divisions, and making decisions contradictory to right-wing values. He also expressed disapproval of Gadi Eisenkot, stating that Eisenkot's security and political views do not resonate with him and that he does not see Eisenkot as a unifying figure. Regarding Bennett, Ansbacher noted a discrepancy between Bennett's public image and his true personality, acknowledging past mistakes and questions about his reliability. Nonetheless, he portrayed Bennett as someone motivated by love for Israel who has made decisions consistent with right-wing principles.

A significant portion of Ansbacher's post addressed Bennett's previous decision to form a government including an Arab party, which Ansbacher called a serious move requiring explanation, apology, and a commitment not to repeat it. Despite this, he believes Bennett remains the preferable choice compared to other candidates. Ansbacher concluded by urging members of the national camp to consider giving Bennett another chance, suggesting that broader right-wing support for Bennett could help establish leadership that strengthens national unity and repairs societal divisions in Israel.