[81742] Naftali Bennett: TV channels and Likud are cooperating to promote Gadi Eisenkot's candidacy

Bennett against Likud and the media: "A conspiracy to run Eisenkot"

In closed-door conversations whose contents were revealed on June 13, 2026, former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett attacked the complex relationship between media outlets and the Likud party. According to Michael Shemesh, Bennett claims that Channels 12 and 14 "joined forces to run Eisenkot."

According to the report by Michael Shemesh, who is known for his penchant for political publications with a critical orientation toward the Likud, Bennett believes that the goal behind the move is the presentation of Gadi Eisenkot as a "convenient rival" to Benjamin Netanyahu. Bennett emphasizes that in his view, Likud is trying to create a front against a right-wing figure to fortify its hold on power, out of the perception that only "a right-wing man will be able to bring the government."

Furthermore, Michael Shemesh notes that Bennett claims the negative campaign conducted by the Likud party against Eisenkot over the past week actually helped him politically and significantly promoted him in the public consciousness. Bennett accuses various elements in the media of assisting the party in promoting this agenda.

The remarks also received echoes on the Zirat HaHadashot (News Arena) channel, which validated Bennett's claims in the closed-door conversations regarding the alleged cooperation between the media outlets and Likud for the benefit of creating Eisenkot's image as a central rival.