From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, April 6, 2021
Bennett: I won’t give up my right-wing ideals for ‘any job in the world’
At a press conference, Yamina leader Naftali Bennett says Israel needs a stable right-wing government and asserts that he won’t drop his nationalist views for the sake of becoming prime minister.
He calls for “the establishment of a stable government to save Israel from fifth elections and deterioration into an endless spiral of chaos and hatred.”
A “government that is formed must reflect, more or less, the array of opinions of the people, the national consensus,” he says, adding that this means a right-wing, nationalist, but not “extreme” government.
“This is the will of the people: The establishment of a stable right-wing, national government.”
In an apparent shot at Gideon Sa’ar’s New Hope, who declined to endorse a candidate for prime minister, “There are those who call themselves right-wing who have no problem dragging Israel to another terrible elections, and all in the name of lofty ideals.”
“There are no ideals there, only ambitions,” says Bennett.
On the other side of the political spectrum, says Bennett, there are those who believe he would lead a left-wing government and forsake his ideals. “Both are wrong.”
That’s a reference to an offer by Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid to become prime minister first in a rotation agreement between them.
“I don’t know many politicians who faced the real, immediate prospect of becoming prime minister and didn’t grab it. I had no dilemma. I won’t ever give up my ideals, of Zionism and unity, for any job in the world,” says Bennett.
He wishes Netanyahu good luck in forming a government and says the party would negotiate “with goodwill” with Likud and anyone else.
The Times of Israel Community.