Naftali Bennett, the man who could dethrone Benjamin Netanyahu after over 12 years of rule, is the latest kingmaker in Israeli politics, after he announced that his Yamina party would work towards an alliance with Yesh Atid, paving the way for a coalition government.
Both Netanyahu and Yesh Atid (led by Yair Lapid) have been eyeing Bennett’s support, which will prove invaluable in helping the winning coalition (if any) reach the magic 61 member number to reach a majority in the 120-seat Knesset. But, on Sunday, Bennett ruled out the chance of a Netanyahu-led government, leaving only two options ahead for Israeli: A cobbled-together coalition of right and centre parties (and possibly even an Arab one), or another election, the fifth in two years.
However, Bennet and Lapid have a Wednesday deadline to secure a coalition, with possible allies including New Hope, Labor, Yisrael Beiteinu, Kahol Lavan, Meretz and either the Joint List or United Arab List (making this the first time an Arab party serves in a ruling government coalition).
Bennett, 49, himself is a former Education Minister, and had served as Netanyahu’s Chief of Staff between 2006-08. He is a former commando, having served with the Israeli Defence Force (IDF). During the 1996 operation against Lebanon, “Grapes of Wrath”, he was in charge of 67 Magalan soldiers (a reconnaissance unit) during what was later dubbed the Qana massacre, when an Israeli artillery strike killed 106 civilians who had been taking shelter in a UN compound.
Bennett, who called in the air strike, was accused of panicking under duress after his unit found itself under mortar fire and called in artillery support. Bennett has steadfastly denied these charges and said he would not apologise for his actions.
Born to American parents, Bennett grew up in Haifa. He is at once a tech multi-millionaire, a former commando, and a politician with experience working with right-wing pro-settler parties as well as an old hand of several Netanyahu governments. As a result of his work in the high-sector cybersecurity sector in New York in the late 1990s, in 2005, he sold the anti-fraud software company Cyota to US Security firm RSA for $145 million.
He entered politics in 2012, joining a pro-settler Jewish Home party and serving as defence minister and later held education and economic portfolios in multiple Netanyahu governments. He established the breakway New Right party in 2018, later merging this back with the Jewish Home and with the National Union-Tkuma to form the United Right party that was later renamed Yamina.
A supporter of the Jewish settlements in occupied Palestine, he has opposed the creation of a Palestinian state for security reasons, calling it “suicide” for Israel. However, if his plan for a “government of change” in alliance with left-wing and centrist parties and possibly even Arab parties is to work, he may be unable to push an annexation agenda. On Sunday, he said both left and right would have to compromise on ideological matters.
According to a Haaretz report, both parties have agreed to form two blocs of power, one led by Lapid and the other by Bennett. However, Netanyahu has challenged the alliance, which would be unable to form a government if even a few members decided against it.
