For Heaven’s Sake: "Bennett 2026"

Hosts: Donniel Hartman (A) & Yossi Klein Halevi (B)
Date: January 7, 2026
Presented by: Shalom Hartman Institute & Ark Media

Episode Overview

This episode delves into the political persona, leadership legacy, and prospects of Naftali Bennett, the current frontrunner in Israel’s 2026 elections. The hosts analyze Bennett's evolution from a right-wing ideologue to a potential "healer" and "unifier," contrasting him with Netanyahu, and grappling with what his leadership could mean for Israel’s future—particularly in the context of the momentous shifts since October 7, 2023.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Israel of October 6 vs. October 8

• Main Theme: The election centers on whether Israel wants to be the divided country of October 6 (pre-October 7 attacks) or the united country of October 8 (post-crisis unity). Netanyahu is cast as the Prime Minister of October 6, Bennett as that of October 8.
  • Quote:

    "Bennett is the prime minister of October 8. Netanyahu is the prime minister of October 6. And that's what the election's about." – Yossi (00:22, repeated at 33:38)

2. Bennett’s Biography & Political Journey

• Background: Bennett, born to American immigrants, was part of Sayeret Matkal (elite military), became a successful businessman, then Netanyahu's chief of staff, later head of the Yesha Council, and always identified with the religious right.
• Trajectory: Initially, Bennett was a "pure" right-wing ideologue and one of Netanyahu’s staunchest supporters, then formed breakaway parties with figures like Ayelet Shaked.
• Shift in 2021: Felt the growing toxicity of politics.
  • Quote:

    "Bennett has an awakening in which he says, what is this? What's the greatest danger? Is the greatest danger facing Israel our borders? Or is it the hatred and the divisiveness that's coming from inside?" – Donniel (00:04, 06:24)

3. The Great Unifier and Healer

• Transformation: Bennett’s pivotal moment came when he built a diverse coalition, including centrists, leftists, and for the first time, an Arab party, Ra’am.
  • Quote:

    "He becomes the great unifier of Israel, of Israeli politics." – Yossi (06:38)

• Personal Growth: Saw his former “enemies” as patriots, expanding his respect and willingness to build bridges.
  • Quote:

    "I realized they love Israel as much as I do. They're as good Zionists as I am. And even [regarding] the Ram Party, Mansoor Abbas, he says, he's a great coalition partner, he's a loyal member." – Donniel (06:48)

4. From "Unimpressive Ideologue" to Decent Leader

• First Impressions: Yossi recalls meeting a young Bennett who left little impression, reinforcing the scale of his transformation.
• Decency as Core Value: Both hosts describe Bennett as “decent,” open, willing to expand alliances, and respectful of pluralism.
  • Quote:

    "I'm on the political center left... I know that in voting for this center left party, I know I'm voting for Bennett... And the reason why I'm not hesitant... this is a decent man." – Donniel (10:25)

• Interpersonal Approach: Contrasted with Netanyahu, Bennett listens even to harsh criticism, notably from bereaved families.
  • Quote:

    "A gold star family has a right to tell me anything, and my job is to listen." – Donniel, recounting Bennett (13:51)

5. Political Messaging and the “Old Right”

• Bennett’s Platform: Brands himself as the return of the “old, decent right”—like Begin, Shamir, Sharon—leaders who placed the country over personal gain, contrasting with Netanyahu.
  • Quote:

    "I'm the old right, the old decent right. You think of Menachem Begin, Yitzchak, Shamir, Sharon, Ariel Sharon. There was a sense that you could trust these people... And Netanyahu broke that tradition." – Yossi (16:20)

• Limits of Ideology: As PM, Bennett refrained from pushing a maximalist right-wing agenda, focused on security rather than settlements, acting within coalition bounds.

6. Vagueness & Coalition-Building

• Center-Right Base: Most of Bennett’s potential voters previously supported centrist parties (Gantz, Lapid), not Likud.
  • Data:

    "60% of his voters were either Benny Gantz or Yair Lapid voters... he has about 10% of Netanyahu voters." – Donniel (19:24)

• Calculated Messaging: He avoids contentious policy declarations to keep potential partners and broad support within reach.
  • Quote:

    "He’s very careful not to say anything that's going to aggravate... the coalition of voters who are voting for him right now." – Donniel (18:32)

• The 80/20 Principle: Influenced by Micha Goodman, Bennett’s message stresses shared national ground—“80% of Israelis agree on 80% of the issues” (24:01). The most divisive “20%” are left for later.

7. Challenges and Weaknesses

• Religious Zionist Distrust: Despite his background, the national religious community largely opposes Bennett, feeling betrayed by the previous coalition with left and Arab parties.
  • Quote:

    "Close to 80% of religious Zionists prefer Netanyahu to Bennett... they still have not forgiven him for forming a government with the center and the left, and most of all with an Arab party." – Yossi (21:45)

• Coalition Math: Needs to peel off right-wing (Likud) voters; cannot count on regaining religious Zionist support.

8. Policy Specifics and Core Battles

• Draft Issue & the Haredim: Bennett’s main consensus agenda is challenging Haredi draft exemptions and shifting economic incentives to those who serve in the army.
  • Quote:

    "He spoke about... reversing the pyramid, taking the tens of billions going to those who don't serve, and starting to give it to those who serve... Here he found his consensus issue." – Donniel (26:45)

• Avoidance: On state-religion and peace process issues, he remains purposely vague; healing and trust-building come first, deeper divides addressed “maybe in the next election.”

9. Can Bennett Lead through Crisis?

• Strengths: Seen as serious, appoints competent ministers, values professional governance.

  • Quote:

    "He's going to appoint a serious Minister of Defense who's allowed to have an opinion, who's not going to be fired because he disagrees with you. We're going to have serious people." – Donniel (28:36)

• Open Questions: Will he have flexibility if pressured internationally, e.g. on a two-state solution?

  • Quote:

    "Is he capable of doing what Netanyahu did in 2010 and say the words a two state solution?... Is he too sincere? That's the question." – Yossi (29:53-30:07)

• Historical Precedent: Out of four Likud PMs, only Shamir was inflexible; will Bennett emulate Begin/Sharon/Netanyahu's pragmatism, or Shamir's ideological purity?

  • Quote:

    "Three of the four [Likud PMs] showed remarkable flexibility... The only purist was Shamir... Is he going to be a right wing prime minister in the mode of three out of the four, or of Shamir?" – Yossi (31:22)

10. The Election as Existential Choice

• Core Dilemma: The real choice isn’t left vs. right, but whether Israel wants healing and unity or continued schism.
  • Quote:

    "There is really no effective option except to vote for either a decent right wing prime minister or an indecent right wing prime minister." – Yossi (15:30)

• Desperation for Change: Both express anticipation—rooted as much in exhaustion with Netanyahu as optimism for Bennett.
  • Quote:

    "At this point, I would accept Herbert Hoover as the Prime Minister of Israel, almost anyone, instead of this guy... But beyond that desperation, I'm actually anticipating Prime Minister Bennett returning... because what this country needs... is healing." – Yossi (32:33)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• Election Framing — The “October 6th or 8th” Choice:
  "This election is going to be fought on basically one issue. Do we want an Israel that's October 6th or October 8th?... Bennett is the prime minister of October 8. Netanyahu is the prime minister of October 6." – Yossi (00:22, 33:38)

• On Bennett’s Personal Decency:
  "The first word that comes to my mind is decency. He's a decent man... And that's why the first thing I see is his decency. And it gives me a lot of hope." – Donniel (10:25)

• Transformation through Coalition:
  "I'm sitting in coalition with people who used to be my enemies... I realized they love Israel as much as I do." – Donniel, quoting Bennett (06:48)

• Contrast with Netanyahu’s Style:
  "Not only did Netanyahu not go to visit families who had lost their sons in combat... his office investigated and found that they had the wrong politics." – Yossi (14:02)

• Voters' New Political Reality:
  "No matter who you vote for, you're actually voting for a right wing prime minister." – Yossi (15:16)

• Doubts about Flexibility:
  "Is he capable of doing what Netanyahu did in 2010 and say the words a two state solution?... Is he too much of a purist? ...Is he too sincere? That's the question." – Yossi (29:53-30:07)

• Hope for the Future:
  "It's a nice thing to say. You know, we have a candidate who is leading in the polls, who is a healer, is a unifier and is decent and maybe, maybe that's enough." – Donniel (34:43)

Major Segments and Timestamps

• Opening Framing & Election Stakes: 00:04–01:01; 00:22–01:01
• Bennett’s Biography and Political Transformation: 02:43–07:52
• The "Healer/Unifier" Narrative: 07:52–10:25
• Personal Decency; Center-Left Attitudes: 10:25–13:49
• Cultural/Political Contrasts with Netanyahu: 14:02–15:48
• Bennett’s Evasive Platform; 80/20 Consensus: 18:32–25:21
• Religious Zionist Alienation: 21:45–23:39
• The Haredi Draft & Policy Mechanics: 26:14–27:18
• Can Bennett Innovate, or Is He Trapped in Consensus?: 28:03–32:10
• Final Reflections, Leadership Desperation, and List Speculations: 32:33–34:43

Conclusion

Bennett’s 2026 run is about more than policy; it’s about whether Israel can heal from internal division. The hosts are cautiously optimistic—he is a decent, pragmatic leader able to unify, but questions remain about his flexibility on critical issues. There’s a sense of hope, coupled with the sober realization that in today's Israel, even the center and left are forced to rally behind a right-wing prime minister—preferably one capable of serving the whole nation.