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


Netanyahu ushered Turkey, Qatar through Gaza's front door, ex-PM Naftali Bennett charges

“Erdogan and the despicable Qatar, the greatest haters of Israel, the most enthusiastic aides of Hamas, are being ushered in through the front door to run Gaza,” Bennett wrote on X/Twitter.

Former Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett attends a conference at the Academic College in Tel Aviv, January 7, 2026.

Lapid, Eisenkot, and Bennett back reservists at Jerusalem draft law protest

"I hope that Knesset receives the message to promote a draft law and not a [draft] evasion law," Eisenkot said.

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

Bennett's draft law pitch brings in support as opposition bloc maintains lead over Netanyahu - poll

The poll also found that appointing Brig.-Gen. (res.) Ofir Winter to head Religious Zionist Party in place of Bezalel Smotrich would allow the party to cross the threshold with six seats.

Former prime minister Naftali Bennett speaks at the annual Cyber Week, at Tel Aviv University, December 9, 2025

From yellow badges to ‘extermination ovens’: Toxic rhetoric of haredi draft protests - editorial

The latest affront occurred on Sunday when UTJ chairperson Yitzhak Goldknopf compared enforcing yeshiva students’ conscription to “placing a yellow badge on them.”

Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) protesters gather in Mea She'arim, Jerusalem, to celebrate draft dodgers' release from miiltary prison, November 30, 2025; illustrative.

Bennett pushes for billions of shekels to be redirected to reservists over draft dodgers

Bennett discussed his outline for the draft law, which would grant benefits to active reservists, including assistance with apartment purchases and benefits regarding daycare and state services.

Former prime minister Naftali Bennett and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid hold a joint press conference at the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem on June 20, 2022.

Netanyahu vows to block Iran's nuclear ambitions, accuses opposition of courting Muslim Brotherhood

PM defends haredi conscription bill, backs politically appointed probe into October 7 massacre.

Netanyahu addresses Knesset at 40-signature debate on ‘extremist government’ in Jerusalem, January 6.

Israeli indicted in Iranian espionage plot targeting former PM Naftali Bennett

The suspect, Lachao Damsash, was in contact with Iranian intelligence elements and carried out a range of tasks at their direction in exchange for payment.

Former prime minister Naftali Bennett speaks at the annual Cyber Week, at Tel Aviv University, December 9, 2025

How Israel's migration figures are liable to affect the next election results - opinion

The figures show that the number of Israelis who left Israel for in excess of nine months in the years 2023-2025 is around 211,000.

 A man casts his vote in the Israeli general elections, at a polling station in Jerusalem, on November 1, 2022.

Handala hackers claim to have hacked former MK Ayelet Shaked's phone, share pictures, videos online

The Iranian hackers shared a series of photos, including one of Shaked at a meeting with Bennett and another of her posing with several IDF soldiers.

Hackers from the Handala group claimed to have hacked former MK Ayelet Shaked's phone.

Bennett says Netanyahu’s advisers damaged relations with Egypt, deserve life imprisonment

“Section 121 of the Criminal Law explicitly states that a person who deliberately harms Israel’s relations with another country faces up to life imprisonment," Bennett said.

Former prime minister Naftali Bennett speaks at the annual Cyber Week, at Tel Aviv University, December 9, 2025