Bennett’s main claim to fame is that he is not Benjamin Netanyahu (aka Bibi). Bennett has in fact spent a good part of his political career trying to overthrow the Likud kleptocrat who ruled Israel for 12 years. Ideologically there is little that separates them: both are militant hyper-nationalists dedicated to defending their ethno-state – against Arabs in general and Palestinians in particular. Both are known for steadfast opposition to any meaningful Palestinian sovereignty, which effectively means they support an expanded Israel that includes the West Bank.
Indeed, Bennett served under the old war horse Netanyahu: first as his chief of staff, and then variously in the finance and education briefs. Their falling out came when Bennett was dismissed from Cabinet in June 2019. Bennett describes himself as being ‘more rightwing’ than Bibi – although not so prone to manipulation and ‘using the tools of hate’. He promised Israelis a government that would restore the nation’s ‘national dignity’ following the scandals of the Netanyahu regime – and prosperity based on peace and quiet. How wrong can you be!
