Naftali Bennett

With new players and old alliances, Israel’s post-October 7 political map takes shape

POLITICAL AFFAIRS: Two significant political developments played out this week as Israel moves towards elections. Gadi Eisenkot and Yonatan Shamriz took the reflectors with key announcements.

Former prime minister Naftali Bennett seen with Gadi Eisenkot during a march in support of the conscription of ultra-Orthodox Jews into the IDF, from the entrance of Jerusalem to the Knesset, January 15, 2026
Opposition head Yair Lapid arrives for a court hearing at the Supreme Court on a petition against the transfer of funds to ultra-Orthodox educational institutions, January 8, 2026

Israel's Opposition hits 61 seat majority for first time in months - poll

Yair Lapid and Gadi Eisenkot embrace at draft law protests in Jerusalem on January 15, 2026.

Gadi Eisenkot pushing for unified list with Bennett, Lapid to rival Netanyahu's Likud

 Defense Minister Israel Katz and IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir. March 25, 2025.

Israel Katz publishes IDF chief's letter warning of manpower shortage amid haredi draft debate


Post-Bennett heart attack: Warning signs and first aid treatment until MDA arrives

Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett underwent Catheterization at Meir Medical Center after suffering a heart attack during physical activity.

Former Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett donates blood in memory of Sgt. First Class Yona Betzalel Brief, March 27, 2025.

Former prime minister Naftali Bennett admitted to hospital

Bennett underwent a catheterization, according to the reports. 

 Former prime minister Naftali Bennett in Tel Aviv. August 1, 2022.

Opposition heads blast Netanyahu, say PM was 'afraid' to attack Iran

Yair Lapid: "Destroying Iran's oil industry would collapse its economy and ultimately bring down the regime. Netanyahu was afraid and stopped it."

 (L-R) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Former Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett, Opposition Leader and Yesh Atid Chairman Yair Lapid.

Fire alarm set off as Princeton activists protest Bennett lecture

Naftali Bennett’s Princeton lecture was disrupted by protests and a fire alarm. The university is investigating, and its president apologized.

Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett

Former Shin Bet head: Netanyahu asked me to use intelligence powers for personal political gain

The affidavit, unprecedented in its severity, revealed two times Netanyahu attempted to exploit Shin Bet powers for political and personal purposes.

 Yoram Cohen, then chief of Israel's Shin Bet internal security service, attends a session of the Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee in the parliament in Jerusalem May 30, 2012.

Netanyahu asked Shin Bet to block Bennett from security cabinet, former chief reveals

Yoram Cohen: PM attempted to use Shin Bet to disqualify political rival • Bennett: "Yoram Cohen exposed Netanyahu's lies and paranoia about me"

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former prime minister Naftali Bennett. (Illustrative)

'In secret, through lies': Political contender Bennett slams PMO over Qatargate affair

"Qatar is the main engine behind Hamas. The Prime Minister's advisors worked for it, not for us. And all of this happened during a war in which our children are fighting," Bennett wrote.

 Former prime minister Naftali Bennett in Tel Aviv. August 1, 2022.

Bennett bets on a second chance: Will voters buy in? - analysis

Naftali Bennett returns to politics with a new party, aiming to attract pragmatic right-wing voters while overcoming past controversies.

Former prime minister Naftali Bennett seen in an illustrative

'Bennett 2026': Former PM Naftali Bennett registers new political party

Former prime minister Naftali Bennett's new party is likely to be the largest in a general election, according to polls over recent weeks.

 THEN-PRIME minister Naftali Bennett and then-foreign minister Yair Lapid hold a news conference in the Knesset, 2022.

Smotrich passed the state budget, and all it cost was his party - poll

The Religious Zionist Party, led by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, fell below the electoral threshold with just 2.6% support.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich speaks in the Knesset plenum, in Jerusalem, March 25, 2025