Bennett backs ally Silman after doubts cast on her account of being attacked

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett issues a statement backing his Yamina party member, coalition whip idit Silman, who says she was physically attacked by a man at a gas station in Modiin amid a scathing, months-long online campaign against her joining the new government that ousted Benjamin Netanyahu.

Many have doubted Silman’s account of the attack, noting that she has refused to go into detail about when and where exactly it happened.

In a tweet, Bennett avoids commenting directly on the alleged attack.

“Over the past months, and especially as the passage of the national budget neared, Idit Silman and her family have been subjected to very severe pressure, smears and attacks that have been experienced by few politicians,” he says.

“I commend Idit and very much appreciate her steadfastness and the hard and comprehensive work she has been doing in the Knesset to get Israel back on track.”