Bennett, also a former PM, has returned to the political spotlight in Israel’s 2026 elections, positioning himself as a right-wing alternative to Netanyahu. Once an ally of Benjamin Netanyahu, Naftali Bennett is now seeking to end the Israeli prime minister’s decades-long reign.
“We are confident that our great friend in the White House, President Trump, and Israel’s allies around the world will welcome the opportunity to work with Bennett and the new government he intends to form. In June 2021, Bennett became Israel’s prime minister after an eight-party coalition secured parliamentary approval by a narrow 60–59 vote, ending Netanyahu’s 12 consecutive years in office. Under a power-sharing agreement, Bennett served as prime minister until June 2022, when Yair Lapid succeeded him. Ahead of the October 27 Knesset elections, Bennett and fellow opposition leaders have pledged to move quickly to form a government and introduce legislation aimed at limiting the prime minister’s tenure to eight years and barring people facing criminal charges from serving as premier.
Together, we will revive the Negev Forum and expand the Abraham Accords, strengthening regional security and stability,” his campaign told Fox News.
Bennett joined forces with Yair Lapid, Israel’s former prime minister and current opposition leader, to form a joint electoral alliance called “Together (Beyachad). Follow LIVE updates on Israel elections here. At the age of 27, Bennett was living in Manhattan when he co-founded Cyota, a technology company that developed anti-fraud software. Six years later, the company was sold to a US security firm for $145 million, according to Wall Street Journal.
“Naftali Bennett is the right leader to strengthen Israel’s global standing, including among the American people, thanks to his proven track record of working with world leaders and bringing people together, both as prime minister and as a successful businessman,” Bennett’s campaign told Fox News Digital.
