Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said that Israel faces an existential threat if Benjamin Netanyahu and his far-right allies win another term [1].
This warning highlights the deep political polarization within Israel. Bennett said that the current coalition's trajectory could permanently erode the democratic and societal foundations of the state [1], [2].
Speaking from his headquarters in Ra’anana, Bennett described the current political climate as a critical turning point [2]. He said the country is at an existential moment and that another four years with the current government would result in a total loss of a functioning society [1], [2].
Bennett said that the influence of far-right allies within the government is a primary driver of this risk. He said that if the current leadership remains in power, the very fabric of Israel is at risk [3].
The former leader's comments reflect a growing concern among some political figures that the shift toward far-right policies is creating an irreparable rift in the Israeli public. While Netanyahu continues to lead the government, Bennett said that the cost of another term would be the collapse of social cohesion [1], [2].
Bennett's critique focuses on the long-term stability of the state rather than immediate policy disputes. He said that the risk is not merely political, it is existential [2].
“"We won’t have a society."”
Bennett's rhetoric signals a shift from policy disagreement to a fundamental clash over the nature of the Israeli state. By framing the next election as an 'existential' crisis, he is positioning the struggle not as a choice between leaders, but as a fight to preserve the country's social and democratic structure against far-right influence.
