Former prime minister Naftali Bennett launched a national plan on Thursday to expand accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities, saying he would implement it if elected.
His party, Bennett 2026, has been trailing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud in recent polls ahead of elections expected no later than the end of October.
Speaking at an event in Bnei Brak, where he addressed about 100 people, including individuals with disabilities, Bennett outlined a plan he said would raise employment among people with disabilities to 60%, advance accessibility technologies, incentivize businesses to become accessible, and create a track for integrating people with disabilities into the IDF.
Bennett said at the event that there are 1.2 million people with disabilities in Israel, and that the state has been failing to integrate them into society.
To raise the employment rate of people with disabilities to 60%, he said his government would “encourage people to enter the workforce without the fear of losing their benefits overnight. There will be a safety net for them.”
He also said that employers who hire people with disabilities would receive automatic tax credits.
“Within five years, we will reach 60% employment, bringing a massive contribution to the economy. It’s good for people with disabilities, it’s good for the country, and it’s good for the economy,” Bennett told the audience.
'A light unto the nations'
He also said that advancing the country’s accessibility technologies would make the country “a light unto the nations.”
“We will connect Israel’s brainpower and capabilities in fields like chips, optics, and robotics to accessibility,” he said.
“We will harness the power of the startup nation to create smart wheelchairs, next-generation hearing aids, and life-changing prosthetics.”
To improve accessibility in the country, Bennett said his government would gradually make all intercity buses accessible and incentivize taxis to add accessible vehicles.
“When I was prime minister, we already added 100 new accessible intercity buses, but it was cut short. Now we will continue the work.”
He added that Israel’s heritage and nature sites would also be made accessible as part of the plan, which would include new sections of the Israel National Trail and national parks.
“Beyond the basic right to explore our country, this will position Israel as a global leader in accessible tourism,” Bennett explained.
To incentivize businesses to become more accessible, he said his government would launch a national “accessibility standard” certification and provide incentives for businesses that meet it.
“Add to that the enormous purchasing power of 1.2 million people with disabilities and their families, and accessibility becomes not just a regulatory burden, but a smart business decision.”
Regarding the integration of people with disabilities into the IDF, he said the current system leaves many opportunities closed to young people with physical disabilities.
“Many must go through exhausting volunteer committees and practically beg to be accepted, as if the system is doing them a favor. It’s absurd,” he said.
To change this, Bennett said his government would remove the volunteer track and establish a “green track” for recruitment across all IDF units, from the Intelligence Corps 8200 Unit to combat-support roles.
Selection would be based on ability, without “cumbersome medical committees or unnecessary bureaucracy,” he added.
Bennett’s party announced this week that Katef el Katef (Shoulder to Shoulder) would align with his party, and that co-founder Yonatan Shalev would be on its Knesset list.
The organization represents young Israelis and reservists serving in the IDF and advocates for universal conscription and legislation to enforce haredi enlistment.
At the event, Bennett spoke about one of the organization’s leaders, Shahar Varon, who was wounded in combat in Gaza.
Bennett said that when Varon arrived at the hospital after being wounded, “he made it clear that there was no way he would stay behind while his comrades were still in Gaza. After arguments with his family, he returned to Gaza with stitches in his leg just two weeks later.”
Bennett became prime minister in June 2021. After his government collapsed a year later, he stepped away from political life.
In a move to return to politics ahead of the upcoming election, Bennett officially registered his new party in April 2025.
He has criticized the government’s advancement of the controversial draft legislation that calls for universal conscription.
Bennett has said he would not form another government with Arab parties and would only partner with Zionist parties.
Last month, Bennett told The Jerusalem Post he would only form a government with those who serve in the IDF, effectively ruling out the haredi parties.