Naftali Bennett
Naftali Bennett is an Israeli politician and served as the country’s 13th prime minister.
The son of American immigrants, Bennett grew up in Haifa. He and his wife Gilat live in Ra’anana with their four children.
After his IDF service in the Maglan Commando Brigade and the General Staff Reconnaissance Unit, Bennett ventured into software entrepreneurship, heading various companies that sold out for over $100 million.
He surfaced on the scene of Israeli politics in 2006 as chief of staff for Benjamin Netanyahu.
After leading both the Bayit Yehudi and Yamina parties and serving in various ministerial positions, Bennett was sworn in on June 13, 2021 as Israel's 13th prime minister in a rotation government with Yesh Atid head Yair Lapid.
Under the rotation government, Bennett would serve as prime minister until 2023, and Lapid would assume the role until 2025.
However, this government would ultimately collapse and Bennett would subsequently exit the Israeli political scene.
Haredi exit from gov't pushes Netanyahu forward in election polls, survey finds
In this scenario, neither bloc has enough seats to form a government. The current coalition holds 53 seats, while the opposition, plus Bennett, totals 57.
Smotrich worse than secular Jews, haredi MK Gafni says
Knesset election dynamics largely unchanged despite Shas, UTJ leaving gov't, N12 poll finds
'Categorically false': Bennett decries Carlson's allegation Epstein worked for Israel's Mossad
Naftali Bennett assists injured driver on the way to slain soldier's funeral
The driver was lying on the side of the road outside of Ashkelon, where Bennett was heading to attend the funeral of slain soldier Sgt. Shahar Manoav.
Netanyahu surges in first poll after Iran war, Bennett's bloc remains ahead, election poll finds
Netanyahu's bloc has risen from 46 to 48 seats, while the opposition bloc still maintains a majority of 62 seats, allowing Bennett to form an alternative government even without the Arab parties.
Yoaz Hendel’s reservist group begins proceedings to form new party
Hendel has started collecting signatures to request the Registrar of Political Parties. A poll from June 5 shows that Hendel would win nine seats if an election were held now.
Netanyahu falls short of forming gov't in latest voting projections - survey
According to the survey, current opposition parties would secure 61 seats, excluding Arab parties, or 65 seats, including a party led by Naftali Bennett.
Former prime minister Bennett launches AI-powered public diplomacy campaign
“There is no starvation in Gaza. This is yet another lie from our enemies. Israel must engage in the battle for global perception," Bennett said.
Golan surges in polls, Bennett leads opposition; Likud weakens
Yair Golan’s Democrats are gaining momentum as Naftali Bennett tops the latest poll. Likud loses ground, and Netanyahu’s bloc remains far from a majority.
Ashdod man indicted for surveilling Bennett for Iran
Moshe Atias, 18, was indicted for spying for Iran and aiding the enemy during the Israel-Hamas war.
Netanyahu's coalition drops to 48 seats as opposition gain ground - poll
Beyond party preferences, the poll also measured public opinion on haredi integration into the IDF and the teachers' strike.
Bennett slams draft dodging by Israeli leaders, calls for 'covenant of service'
"Inside a tank in Gaza, there is no Right or Left, no secular or religious. There is only unity of purpose: to bring the hostages home and defeat Hamas," said Bennett.
Gov't members to raise own salaries while teachers strike over budget cuts - report
Just one day earlier, Smotrich wrote a letter to teachers, assuring them that rumors of government members receiving a pay raise are false.
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.
