Report: Bennett meeting Israelis in North America, signaling return to politics earlier than planned

Former prime minister Naftali Bennett has reportedly hosted several large gatherings with Israelis in North America in recent weeks, in which he further indicated he intends to return to politics several years earlier than originally intended due to the “extreme change in circumstances.”

According to the Kan public broadcaster, Bennett fundraised and held interviews, lectures and meetings, including one in Montreal on Sunday with 600 Israelis and former Israelis in which he said the government must be replaced to mend Israel’s complicated situation. He also hosted an event in Los Angeles.

Bennett asked to hear about the challenges and needs of those who have left the country, including regarding potentially moving back, the report says.

He said that when he stepped down from politics in 2022, he originally planned to return only after his youngest child reaches the age of 15 in 2027, since his kids were suffering bullying and ostracization at school. However, the worsening societal chasm and the prolonged war have changed his mind, he reportedly said.

Kan cites some participants as concluding that Bennett is already in full campaign mode.