[85594] Naftali Bennett in political discourse: Call for unity on the center-left and criticism of Netanyahu

Heating up in the political arena: Bennett calls for unity and challenges Netanyahu

Against the backdrop of a downward trend in the polls, former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett was interviewed this morning (June 16, 2026) on 103FM radio, where he set new political goals and criticized the incumbent Prime Minister.

In a report by Michael Shemesh, Bennett revealed that he is calling on MK Gadi Eisenkot to join him in a joint move: "Let's go into a room and not come out until white smoke appears and there is a union," Bennett declared. Regarding his relationship with Yair Lapid, Bennett noted that the two talk on a daily basis, and added that in his opinion, Lapid "was an excellent Foreign Minister and will be Foreign Minister again."

Regarding his main political rival, Bennett declared in a conversation with Gideon Oko and Amichai Attali: "I know how to look Bibi in the white of his eyes and beat him. I did it and I will know how to do it as a right-winger".

Bennett's words sparked a sharp reaction from Yinon Magal, who is identified with right-wing positions that support Netanyahu. Magal attacked Bennett, claiming that during his term as Prime Minister, he relied on only 6 mandates from his faction, which he transferred to a left-wing government, while Netanyahu held 30 mandates at the time. Magal dismissed Bennett's claims of victory as baseless.