Naftali Bennett

Israel’s election campaign lacks substance, fresh leadership, and vision - opinion

From national security to the haredi draft, Israel’s most pressing challenges have received little serious attention from candidates seeking to lead the country.

Voters casting ballots in Israel's 25th Knesset election
BALLOT PAPERS of various political parties displayed at the Central Elections Committee warehouse in Shoham, Oct. 14.

Beyond the polls: What are Israelis really thinking as they head to the ballot box?

Knesset candidate Naftali Bennett's urge to bridge between religious and secular Israelis, and the right-wing Bennett's resolve to prevent Jewish terrorists' tinkering with civil war, are among the reasons the writer thinks he appeals as a potential prime minister.

Middle Israel: Why Naftali Bennett should be Israel's next prime minister - opinion

‘Politicians should leave room for compromise before the election, rather than making absolute promises they may have to abandon afterward for the good of the country.’ Will the challenge of building Israel’s next coalition government fall to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or Gadi Eisenkot?

Israel’s election is being cast as a historic showdown - but four trends tell a different story


Bennett can 'fix Israel after Oct. 7,' retired IDF general on B'Yachad slate says - interview

Tibon’s comments came at B’Yachad’s Knesset slate unveiling in Tel Aviv on Sunday, before the deadline for parties to submit their final candidate lists.

 Major General (Ret.) Noam Tibon speaks to thousands of Israeli left-wing activists during a rally in Rabin Square, Tel Aviv, calling for talks with Palestinians and in support of the two-state solution, May 27, 2017.

Opposition leaders vow to form Oct. 7 probe as first act of new gov't, demand truth from Netanyahu

"As soon as a government under our leadership is established, we will establish a state-led commission of inquiry that will investigate the failures that led to the October 7 massacre," they said.

Naftali Bennett (L), Gadi Eisenkot, Avigdor Liberman.

Eisenkot-led coalition has pathway to 61 seats without Arab parties for first time - poll

Additionally, Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition dropped by four seats to just 47.

Gadi Eisenkot, head of Yashar, is the main challenger to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the upcoming October election.

Bennett confirms Netanyahu was warned by UAE of Sinwar threat before Oct. 7

Yair Lapid similarly scrutinized Netanyahu’s failure to heed the warning and claimed that others, including Egypt and the Shin Bet, had also attempted to warn the prime minister of Hamas’s threat.

 The aftermath of Hamas's Nova music festival massacre in Re'im, southern Israel, on October 7, 2023. Picture taken November 2, 2023

UAE warned Netanyahu of major Hamas attack days before October 7 massacre, Haaretz reports

MBZ warned Netanyahu of a major operation planned by Yahya Sinwar, 10 days before October 7 • Netanyahu said to have dismissed the warning, failing to alert Israeli security chiefs

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reacts at a joint press conference with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (not pictured) at the Prime Minister's Office, during Rubio's visit, in Jerusalem, September 15, 2025

Hendel-Zelekha crosses electoral threshold in new KAN poll, complicating coalition possibilities

Hendel and Zelekha’s projected Knesset entry would leave both Netanyahu’s and Eisenkot’s blocs short of the 61 seats needed to form a government, forcing them to seek additional coalition partners.

Yoaz Hendel and Yaron Zelekha, an Israeli economist and political figure who heads the New Economic Party.

Bennett presents B'Yachad party slate, revealing list ahead of October elections

Yair Lapid's Yesh Atid party is running on a joint list with Bennett, and the final list will include a merger between the two parties' members, pending an agreement on their placements.

Former prime minister Naftali Bennett attends an election campaign event for his B'Yachad party, in Ramat Hasharon, August 20, 2026

With days left to submit Knesset slates, Chili Tropper must weigh next steps for party's future

Some within the party are pressing for staying the course, arguing against rushing to withdraw from the race or join an existing party.

Chili Tropper attends an election campaign conference of the Zionist Home-The Reservists political alliance in Jerusalem, on August 5, 2026.

Yesh Atid’s Michal Shir quits Knesset race as party faces growing wave of exits

Yesh Atid’s slate faces another shake-up as MK Michal Shir announces she is stepping aside, while expressing support for Yair Lapid and the party.

MK Michal Shir speaks during a Finance committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on January 10, 2023.

Naftali Bennett’s reset: Why the former PM broke his promises - and his plan to 'repair' Israel

NATIONAL AFFAIRS: In an exclusive video interview, Naftali Bennett confronts anger over broken campaign promises of the past and calls haredi enlistment and integration essential to "fixing" Israel.

B'Yachad party chairman Naftali Bennett sits down with The Jerusalem Post at his party's headquarters, central Israel, September 4, 2026