Bennett said leaning toward backing Netanyahu, but may not recommend he be PM

Yamina leader Naftali Bennett is leaning toward backing Prime Minister Netanyahu’s efforts to form the next government, but has not made a final decision on who to support as premier, sources in his right-wing party tell the Kan public broadcaster.

However, the broadcaster says Bennett may not recommend that Netanyahu form a government, positioning him to potentially be tasked with assembling a coalition if the premier is charged with doing so but fails.

The report comes ahead of Bennett’s scheduled meeting this evening with Yair Lapid, whose Yesh Atid party is the largest faction in the anti-Netanyahu bloc.

According to Channel 13 news, Lapid will propose Bennett be prime minister first as part of a power-sharing deal to switch off as premier, but only if the Yamina chief publicly commits to not joining a Netanyahu-led government.