Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennet, who was part of a fragile coalition government that collapsed just one year after he took office, announced Wednesday that his intention to not run for the upcoming elections. His government declared last week it would dissolve Knesset in advance of the expected fall elections, but disputes with the opposition have stalled the dissolution vote. In a short prime-time address, he stated that he had tried to be the prime minister and care for all citizens regardless of their vote. “We demonstrated this year that people of all opinions can work together. Bennett’s office confirmed that he would continue to serve as an alternate prime minister in a temporary government led by Yair Lepid, who is currently the foreign minister and architect of the coalition. Elections are scheduled for October or November.
Bennett is a symbol of many of the contradictions in his country. Bennett is a religious Jew who has made millions in the secular hi-tech sector. He is also a champion for settlement movements and lives in Tel Aviv. He was an ally of Benjamin Netanyahu and worked with left-wing and centrist parties to end his 12 year rule.
He was the leader of the main settlement council in the occupied West Bank and continued to oppose Palestinian statehood even after being prime minister, leading a coalition which included left-wing parties. Although his government made some progress in improving the economic situation in Gaza and West Bank, it ruled out any return of the long-stalled peace negotiations. After a long period of political gridlock, Bennett tried to unify the country. He won four elections in two years. However, his small party was defeated by members who rebelled against his coalition. Their right-wing base fought back against Bennett by accusing him of being a traitor and forging an alliance between left-wing parties, including an Arab faction. Netanyahu allies shouted and heckled Bennett during his speeches at the Knesset. His family was threatened with death. Many people expected Bennett would resign from politics after the government collapsed. He stated that Yamina would be headed by Ayelet Shahed, an ally and interior minister of the government. It is unclear whether Yamina’s disarray will benefit or harm their natural right-leaning allies. Netanyahu and his friends could lose a potential partner if the party fails to clear the electoral threshold. Shaked could be a kingmaker like Bennett.
