Netanyahu ‘anarchist’, runs toxic political campaign: ex-Israel PM

Jerusalem: Former Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett has accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of running a toxic political campaign that could put his opponents at risk of physical violence ahead of the October 27 election, The Times of Israel reported.

In a Channel 12 interview accompanying the release of journalist Ari Shavit’s new book on Bennett, the B’Yachad leader described Netanyahu as an “anarchist” and alleged that a pro-Netanyahu network of political campaigns, media outlets and social media operations had systematically demonised him and other rivals.

Bennett, once a close Netanyahu ally, said the campaign against him had intensified after he helped form a coalition government with centrist, left-wing and Arab parties in 2021, ending Netanyahu’s long tenure. He recalled Netanyahu warning him before the coalition was sworn in that breaking ranks would trigger a devastating political campaign against him.

Bennett said he had underestimated the scale of the backlash, but claimed he was better prepared this time. His biggest concern, however, was that the campaign could become so extreme that supporters might view opposition figures as existential enemies and resort to violence.

He specifically highlighted Gadi Eisenkot, who has emerged as a major challenger to Netanyahu in recent polling and lacks the security protection afforded to a former prime minister. Bennett also named Opposition Leader Yair Lapid, Yisrael Beytenu chief Avigdor Liberman and Yair Golan among those potentially exposed to the escalating rhetoric.

Despite tensions within the anti-Netanyahu camp, Bennett said he was prepared to put personal ambitions aside after the election to ensure the bloc presents a single candidate capable of replacing the government.

The remarks come as Netanyahu faces an increasingly fragmented opposition and a fiercely contested election campaign.