Naftali Bennett seeks Israel comeback with Abraham Accords vision

Key Points:

• Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett aims for a political comeback with a vision to expand the Abraham Accords, build economic ties with Arab nations, and restore Israel’s international relationships, especially with the United States.
• Bennett emphasizes his business background and personal U.S. connection, hoping to collaborate with former President Donald Trump on regional diplomacy, despite Trump endorsing Netanyahu in the upcoming election.
• Facing strong competition from Netanyahu and former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, Bennett’s joint party with Yair Lapid is currently polling behind both rivals, but his experience in coalition-building remains a key asset.
• Bennett’s foreign policy focuses on economic cooperation in the Middle East, combating extremist settler violence, and a hardline stance on Iran and Gaza, though critics question how much his approach would differ from Netanyahu’s.
• Domestically, Bennett promises significant reforms including redirecting government benefits, reducing food prices, investigating the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, and imposing an eight-year term limit for prime ministers, while preparing for complex coalition negotiations.