Naftali Bennett
Former Prime Minister of Israel · Yamina (in 2021)
3 changes of mind on record, 2021–2026
How this works
Each change shows what they said then and what they said later, in their own words, dated, with the source.
Every quote is checked word for word against a saved copy of its source. Translations are labelled.
The short labels on each line are our summaries.
At a glance
- Sitting in a government under Netanyahu Committed to neither blocWon’t sit under Netanyahu Mar 2021Mar 2026
- A government relying on Mansour Abbas's Ra'am No government via Ra’amRa’am in the coalition Mar 2021Jun 2021Feb 2026
- Yair Lapid as prime minister Lapid won’t be PMLapid PM in rotation Mar 2021Jun 2021
first said said otherwise
Sitting in a government under Netanyahu
Then
Committed to neither bloc
Ahead of the March 2021 election, his account says he is committed neither to the Netanyahu bloc nor to an anti-Netanyahu bloc.
"נפתלי בנט עקבי במדיניות שאינו מחויב לגוש נתניהו ואינו מחויב לגוש אנטי נתניהו, אלא רק לטובת אזרחי ישראל."
Our translation Naftali Bennett is consistent in a policy of not being committed to the Netanyahu bloc and not being committed to an anti-Netanyahu bloc, but only to the good of Israel's citizens.
Source נפתלי בנט ב-X, 20 במרץ 2021
5 years later
Later
Won’t sit under Netanyahu
In a March 2026 interview, asked whether he would join Netanyahu after the election, he says he will not sit under him and intends to replace him.
"בוודאי שאני לא אשב תחתיו, אני הולך להחליף אותו"
Our translation Of course I will not sit under him, I am going to replace him
Source בנט ל-ynet: איזנקוט יקבל תפקיד ראוי בממשלתי. תחת נתניהו לא אשב (ynet, מורן אזולאי) (as reported by ynet.co.il)
Context: In June 2021 Bennett became prime minister of a government that replaced Netanyahu's.
A government relying on Mansour Abbas's Ra'am
Then
No government via Ra’am
He will not form a government that depends on the votes of Mansour Abbas's Islamic Movement party.
"לא אקים ממשלה על קולותיו של מנסור עבאס מהתנועה האיסלאמית"
Our translation I will not form a government on the votes of Mansour Abbas from the Islamic Movement
Source בליכוד מגיבים לחתימה של בנט לא לשבת תחת לפיד (סרוגים) (as reported by srugim.co.il)
2 months later
Later
Ra’am in the coalition
Mansour Abbas and his party are part of his coalition, representing Arab citizens.
"החברה הערבית תיוצג בקואליציה על ידי מנסור עבאס וסיעתו."
Official translation The Arab community will be represented in the coalition by Mansour Abbas and his party.
Source דברי הכנסת, הישיבה העשרים-ושמונה של הכנסת העשרים-וארבע (כינון הממשלה)
4 years, 7 months later
Latest
No government via Ra’am
Ahead of the 2026 election he says he broke his earlier pledge about Abbas, and that since October 7 there is no mandate for a government that rests on the Arab parties.
"מאז 7 באוקטובר אין מנדט במדינת ישראל להקים ממשלה שמושתתת על המפלגות הערביות."
Our translation Since October 7 there is no mandate in the State of Israel to form a government based on the Arab parties.
Source בנט: "הפרתי את ההבטחה שלא אשב עם עבאס, הביקורת מוצדקת" (וואלה) (as reported by walla.co.il)
Context: In the same speech he credited Netanyahu, who had held talks with Abbas after the election, with opening the way. Before the 2026 election he said he stands behind that decision but would not repeat it.
Yair Lapid as prime minister
Then
Lapid won’t be PM
He will not allow Yair Lapid to become prime minister, not even in a rotation.
"אני מתחייב: לא אאפשר ליאיר לפיד להיות ראש ממשלה, גם לא ברוטציה."
Our translation I commit: I will not allow Yair Lapid to be prime minister, not even in rotation.
Source בליכוד מגיבים לחתימה של בנט לא לשבת תחת לפיד (סרוגים) (as reported by srugim.co.il)
2 months later
Later
Lapid PM in rotation
He presents a government in which Yair Lapid is alternate prime minister, due to take over the premiership in a rotation.
"שר החוץ המיועד וראש הממשלה החלופי, ידידי יאיר לפיד, יוביל את התהליך לשיקום משרד החוץ, שהוא כלי יסודי בעוצמתה המדינית של ישראל."
Official translation Foreign Minister-designate and Alternate Prime Minister-designate, Yair Lapid, will lead a process to rehabilitate the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is a fundamental tool for building Israel’s political strength.
Source דברי הכנסת, הישיבה העשרים-ושמונה של הכנסת העשרים-וארבע (כינון הממשלה)
Context: The March 2021 election left neither bloc a majority; under the coalition agreement Lapid became prime minister on 1 July 2022.