Promoted Podcast For Heaven's Sake

Bennett 2026

Is former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett a right-wing ideologue or Israel's great national healer?

By Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi 3 May 2026, 7:37 pm
Yair Lapid (2nd left) and his wife Lihi, and Naftali Bennett and his wife Gilat at a press conference announcing the joint slate, “Together” ahead of upcoming elections, in Herzliya, central Israel, April 26, 2026. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90

In light of Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid recently announcing the launch of a unified party for the Knesset elections, we are re-releasing our episode Bennett 2026, recorded on January 6, 2026. Donniel and Yossi will be back with a new episode next week.

Is former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett a right-wing ideologue or Israel’s great national healer?

Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi grapple with this paradox as they examine the only candidate currently ahead of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in national polling. They explore Bennett’s extraordinary transformation from an ideological conservative to national unifier, discuss his brief but transformative year as Prime Minister, and consider what his return might mean for Israel’s future.

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