Bennett outlines 'Israeli Renaissance' vision – immigration, security, gov't reform – in bid for prime minister

Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, who hopes to unseat Benjamin Netanyahu in the upcoming elections, on Wednesday unveiled his “Israeli Renaissance” plan in a series of media interviews.

Bennett told The Jerusalem Post that a central component of his plan is to bring one million new immigrants (olim) to Israel over the next 0

...........iook10 years, saying it would “open a new chapter for Israel, leaving behind the incompetence of government ministers, the corruption, and the infighting.”

Bennett last week launched a new party called "B'yachad" ("Together"), in partnership with current Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid, however, the first round of polls has not indicated a significant change in the electoral landscape, with both the coalition and opposition blocs projected at slightly less than 60 seats each.

Bennet said that he and Lapid seek “a regional renaissance with moderate Arab states, a renaissance in the Jewish world by strengthening our ties with the Jewish people, and a renaissance in Israel’s global standing.”

Facing widespread skepticism among Israel's political right following the partnership with Lapid, who is more left-leaning, Bennett said, “Lapid accepts my leadership. I will serve as prime minister, as a man of the right, a man of the Land of Israel, a liberal. I will lead this government, and behind me there will be people from the center and from the right.”

The government led by him and Lapid in 2021 and 2022 “was one of the best in recent generations in terms of efficiency, performance, and results,” Bennett stressed, promising a return to efficient governance with a focus on technocratic excellence.

Before the merger of the leaders' two parties, the only members of Bennett’s list were two former director-generals of government ministries and an activist for reserve IDF soldiers – but no other clear right-wing figure.

“I say here, tongue in cheek, that Israel’s citizens will have to get used to a new reality where government ministers understand their fields,” Bennett quipped.

In an interview with Channel 12, Bennett was asked whether he would go so far as to remove government officials appointed under the previous administration. “If they serve the state – not politics – they stay. If not, they go,” he responded, expressly including the police brass.

Among his trademark policy proposals is a plan to bring one million new immigrants to Israel over the next decade, focusing on Western nations.

Notably, Gadi Eisenkot, former IDF chief of staff and leader of the "Yashar!" party – whom Bennett and Lapid have invited to join "Together" – has also presented a plan to bring two million Jewish immigrants and Israeli expats to Israel by the state’s 100th anniversary in 2048.

Bennett emphasized a 'law and order' approach, promising to reduce general crime, including nationalistic crime by Jews against Palestinians in Judea and Samaria, where he once led the Yesha group of municipal councils of Jewish settlements.

He singled out National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir for the rise in crime, calling him a “clown.”

“There is a surge in murders in the State of Israel. The Negev has been completely abandoned and has effectively been taken over in parts, and there has been a sharp increase in murder cases,” Bennett lamented.

“Last time I reduced the number of murders in Israel by 30% within one year… This time, I am coming with an even broader plan, and I will dismantle the three major organized crime groups in Israel and restore security to the streets.”

Other flagship proposals for “Day One” include establishing a state commission of inquiry into government failures that led to the Oct. 7 attack; limiting the term of a prime minister to eight years; closing seven ministries he deerms to be unnecessary; integrating the ultra-Orthodox into work and military or national service; and, as a former education minister, improving the education system.

Speaking to Channel 12, Bennett was asked about the disappointing results in early polling by Israeli television stations, as well as his efforts to win over right-wing voters, many of whom view him as a “traitor” for joining and leading a previous coalition government that included the left and the Arab Ra’am party.

He replied by noting that he would not allow his rivals to assess his “right-wing credentials.”

“They’ve failed—whether on security, taxes, or governance… We’re already the largest party [in the polls]. This is just the beginning. Like in combat – you can’t win if you don’t know who leads. I ended that and unified the force,” he said, reiterating his call to Eisenkot to join him, while noting that the current coalition is unified behind Netanyahu.

Bennett was also asked about the level of unity within the “Together” party, particularly given that Lapid has historically supported a two-state solution, while Bennett has advocated for annexation.

“That was before October 7. Many have moved closer to my position – strength, not concessions… but that’s not the current issue. The real issue is that the state is failing, especially on military manpower,” he said.

Regarding previous changes to his political positions, Bennett said that “leaders learn and correct mistakes” while pointing to “others” who have made “far bigger mistakes and don’t admit them.”

“After October 7, we must rely on Zionist parties,” he said when asked about the Ra’am party, adding, “I will serve all citizens – but not depend on them politically.”