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Naftali Bennett
Yamina leader Naftali Bennett at a protest against the state's intention to close the Hilla Project, outside the Knesset in Jerusalem on August 12, 2020. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
Haviv Rettig Gur
Analysis
Haviv Rettig Gur
Derided by Netanyahu as Lapid ally, Bennett shifts course, moves closer to Sa’ar
As race enters its final month, Netanyahu is seeking to funnel away right-wing votes from his challengers, but may have wound up pushing Yamina and New Hope closer to each other
In this Sunday, November 24, 2019 photo, then-defense minister Naftali Bennett and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visit an Israeli army base in the Golan Heights, on the Israeli-Syrian border. (Atef Safadi/Pool via AP, File)
Bennett: I’m more right-wing than Bibi, but I don’t use the tools of hate
By David Horovitz
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu waiting for government ministers to join him before a special cabinet meeting for Jerusalem Day in Jerusalem, June 2, 2016. (Marc Israel Sellem/Pool)
February 28, 2021, 4:07 pm
PODCAST: Daily Briefing Feb. 28 — Israeli politics’ massive ego problem
Tune in Sunday through Thursday to hear ToI editors and reporters quickly catch you up on what’s important today
By TOI staff
Yamina leader Naftali Bennett at a protest against the state's intention to close the Hilla Project, outside the Knesset in Jerusalem on August 12, 2020. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
February 25, 2021, 5:22 pm
Derided by Netanyahu as Lapid ally, Bennett shifts course, moves closer to Sa’ar
As race enters its final month, Netanyahu is seeking to funnel away right-wing votes from his challengers, but may have wound up pushing Yamina and New Hope closer to each other
By Haviv Rettig Gur
Gideon Sa'ar, head of the New Hope party makes a statement at the Armon Hanatziv Promenade, overlooking the Old City of Jerusalem, February 23, 2021. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
February 24, 2021, 4:45 pm
Joining Bennett, Sa’ar says Lapid won’t be prime minister
Both right-wing party leaders say centrist Yesh Atid can still join potential coalition
By TOI staff
In this Sunday, November 24, 2019 photo, then-defense minister Naftali Bennett and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visit an Israeli army base in the Golan Heights, on the Israeli-Syrian border. (Atef Safadi/Pool via AP, File)
February 24, 2021, 12:13 pm
Bennett: I’m more right-wing than Bibi, but I don’t use the tools of hate
In a landmark interview, the likely election kingmaker sets out hawkish policies but an inclusive Jewish philosophy; assures voters: Israel thrived before Bibi, will soar after him
By David Horovitz
Yesh Atid chairman Yair Lapid (R) and Jewish Home head Naftali Bennett present an agreement reached between Israel's technological colleges and the Finance Ministry, at the Knesset, on October 27, 2013. (Flash90)
February 24, 2021, 10:01 am
Bennett: Yamina won’t sit in a ‘left-wing’ government headed by Lapid
But Yesh Atid can still join a potential coalition, Bennett says; recent poll puts Yesh Atid at 18 seats to Yamina’s 11
By TOI staff
Blue and White leader Benny Gantz, in a January 11, 2021 speech, says he was wrong to partner with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. (Elad Malka)
February 22, 2021, 5:21 am
Poll shows Blue and White failing to enter Knesset, Yamina still power broker
One month before Israel goes to 4th election in 2 years, survey still indicates no clear path to government for either side
By TOI staff
Otzma Yehudit party member Itamar Ben Gvir (R) speaks with National Union faction leader Betzalel Smotrich during a campaign event in Bat Yam, April 6, 2019. (Flash90)
February 20, 2021, 11:38 pm
Holocaust, Hitler jokes in far-right campaign ad cause rift in alliance
Betzalel Smotrich disavows video put out by partner Itamar Ben Gvir; incident also sparks fight with right-wing rival Naftali Bennett, who is accused of plotting with left
By TOI staff
The Daily Briefing
February 17, 2021, 4:12 pm
PODCAST: Daily Briefing, Feb. 17 — Bibi rises as Israelis see end of pandemic
Tune in Sunday through Thursday to hear ToI editors and reporters quickly catch you up on what’s important today
By TOI staff
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) during a visit to a COVID-19 vaccination center in Zarzir, northern Israel, February 9, 2021. (David Cohen/Flash90)
February 17, 2021, 12:57 am
Poll shows public less critical of government’s response to COVID; Yamina slips
TV survey shows Likud making small gains at expense of right-wing rival, but neither pro- nor anti-PM blocs have clear path to forming a government
By TOI staff
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, speaks with then Education Minister Naftali Bennett during a plenum session in the Knesset, on December 5, 2016. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
February 12, 2021, 2:02 am
Netanyahu, Bennett trade fire in battle for right-wing voters
Premier accuses Yamina of siding with Lapid and left-wing parties; Bennett slam’s PM’s handling of pandemic and challenges him to a debate
By Luke Tress
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives for a court hearing at the District Court in Jerusalem on February 8, 2021. Netanyahu is charged with fraud and breach of trust in three cases and bribery in one of them. (Reuven Kastro/POOL)
February 10, 2021, 4:55 pm
With court of public opinion decided, Netanyahu trial no longer campaign fodder
By now, few will be swayed by the premier’s graft cases, so parties are focusing on his handling of the pandemic instead, as polls show that tiny moves can trigger tectonic shifts
By Haviv Rettig Gur
Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
February 7, 2021, 11:34 am
Likud minister opposes ‘unacceptable’ Ben Gvir joining future coalition
Senior member of ruling party says he cannot imagine sitting in same government as leader of Otzma Yehudit party, whose path to Knesset has been smoothed by Netanyahu
By TOI staff
Israeli politician Gideon Sa'ar speaks at his New Hope party's headquarters in Tel Aviv, Israel, January 14, 2021. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)
February 6, 2021, 9:55 pm
Sa’ar: There’ll be no place for extremist Ben Gvir in my coalition
New Hope leader slams Netanyahu for willingness to partner with radical right-winger; also bashes rival Bennett for not ruling out partnership with PM
By TOI staff
Otzma Yehudit party member Itamar Ben Gvir (R) speaks with National Union faction leader Betzalel Smotrich during a campaign event in Bat Yam, April 6, 2019. (Flash90)
February 5, 2021, 10:44 pm
First polls since lists closed show far-right at 4-5 seats, Yamina in key role
Initial surveys after closing of official slates for March elections see both Netanyahu and his opponents short of majority; several parties in danger of falling below threshold
By TOI staff
The Daily Briefing
February 4, 2021, 3:37 pm
PODCAST: Daily Briefing, Feb. 4 — Kahane lives: Merger may mean extremist MKs
Tune in Sunday through Thursday to hear ToI editors and reporters quickly catch you up on what’s important today
By TOI staff
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