Open policy conflicts within Israel’s ideologically diverse government could ultimately render the fragile coalition untenable. Unless Prime Minister Naftali Bennett shows great political acumen in the months ahead, his predecessor, Binyamin Netanyahu, may yet exact revenge on his onetime acolyte.
JERUSALEM – Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett returned from this month’s United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) feeling buoyant. Hobnobbing with world leaders in Scotland lent credibility to his projected image as a worthy replacement to Binyamin Netanyahu, his polarizing and larger-than-life predecessor who reigned supreme over Israel for more than 12 years. But Bennett’s momentum – and his government – could be short-lived unless he is able to exercise prudent leadership in the months ahead.
JERUSALEM – Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett returned from this month’s United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) feeling buoyant. Hobnobbing with world leaders in Scotland lent credibility to his projected image as a worthy replacement to Binyamin Netanyahu, his polarizing and larger-than-life predecessor who reigned supreme over Israel for more than 12 years. But Bennett’s momentum – and his government – could be short-lived unless he is able to exercise prudent leadership in the months ahead.