Friday Dec 5, 2025
NEWSLETTER
www.israelhayom.com
  • Home
  • News
    • Israel
    • Israel at War
    • Middle East
    • United States
  • Opinions
  • Jewish World
    • Archaeology
    • Antisemitism
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Culture
  • Magazine
    • Feature
    • Analysis
    • Explainer
  • In Memoriam
www.israelhayom.com
  • Home
  • News
    • Israel
    • Israel at War
    • Middle East
    • United States
  • Opinions
  • Jewish World
    • Archaeology
    • Antisemitism
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Culture
  • Magazine
    • Feature
    • Analysis
    • Explainer
  • In Memoriam
www.israelhayom.com
Home Commentary

How Bennett became the darling of the Left

The kippah-wearing politician made his way into the Knesset as the leader of a staunchly right-wing party only to become the savior of the opposing camp.

by  Dr. Yitzhak Dahan
Published on  06-24-2021 17:02
Last modified: 06-24-2021 17:19
How Bennett became the darling of the LeftReuters / Ronen Zvulun

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett speaks with Foreign Minister Yair Lapid in the Knesset | Photo: Reuters / Ronen Zvulun

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

The March 23 Knesset elections presented the "Anyone but Bibi" camp with an opportunity to oust then-Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which it eagerly took, pushing aside all of the principles and morals in its way.  

Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter

But what's more striking is the mental acrobatics the Left engaged in just in order to coronate Naftali Bennett – the man whom they had despised – as their new leader and Israel's prime minister. 

The paradigm shift the Left underwent so that it could embrace Bennett reached the point of self deception. And indeed, the kippah-wearing politician who entered the Knesset on a right-wing platform they loathe is now being cast as a savior. Likewise, they have cut him a lot of slack just so he could come across as an acceptable patriot in their eyes.

An example of this is Yedioth Ahronoth columnist Daniella London-Dekel, who opposes the "occupation" and is in favor of removing Jewish settlements. Last weekend she waxed poetic on Bennett, praising his family, his military service and songwriting skills. 

The Left went through a similar transformation in the early 2000s, when it suddenly fell in love with then-Prime Minister Ariel Sharon because of his decision to withdraw from the Gaza Strip. 

The government's alphabet soup of ideological factions will result in some of its members trying to rationalize to their public on their motives and decisions, to the point of devising a new ideology ex nihilo. They are all going to just talk about how Israelis want unity and having everyone sing Kumbaya under Bennett's auspices. 

The contradictions in this government means could mean that even as the health minister tries to improve healthcare for refugees, the interior minister, who represents the other edge of the political spectrum, will enact laws to send those refugees back. When the housing minister promotes construction in Judea and Samaria, the transportation minister will slash budgets for the development of transportation infrastructures in those very areas. 

But like everything in life, the small details are what matter. In this case, the public simply doesn't buy the fake harmony and political engineering whose entire purpose was to get a plurality in the Knesset and install Bennett as prime minister.

Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!

Related Posts

More Mamdanis to come and Trump can't stop itAFP/Jim Watson

More Mamdanis to come and Trump can't stop it

by Yoav Limor

Despite the belief that the president will solve all the problems, in the battle for public opinion among young Americans,...

Netanyahu is gambling with Israel's security

Netanyahu is gambling with Israel's security

by Yoav Limor

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has named Roman Gofman as director of the Mossad, despite Gofman having no background in intelligence...

Netanyahu's Washington visit comes with a hard decisionChip Somodevilla / POOL / AFPף EPA/WILL OLIVERף Stephanie Lecocq/Pool via AP

Netanyahu's Washington visit comes with a hard decision

by Danny Zaken

While the US is set to request curbs on IDF operations, officials acknowledge that no comprehensive Middle East arrangement is...

Menu

Analysis 

Archaeology

Blogpost

Business & Finance

Culture

Exclusive

Explainer

Environment

 

Features

Health

In Brief

Jewish World

Judea and Samaria

Lifestyle

Cyber & Internet

Sports

 

Diplomacy 

Iran & The Gulf

Gaza Strip

Politics

Shopping

Terms of use

Privacy Policy

Submissions

Contact Us

About Us

The first issue of Israel Hayom appeared on July 30, 2007. Israel Hayom was founded on the belief that the Israeli public deserves better, more balanced and more accurate journalism. Journalism that speaks, not shouts. Journalism of a different kind. And free of charge.

All rights reserved to Israel Hayom

Hosted by sPD.co.il

  • Home
  • News
    • Israel at War
    • Israel
    • United States
    • Middle East
    • Sports
  • Opinions
  • Jewish World
    • Archaeology
    • Antisemitism
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Culture
  • Magazine
    • Feature
    • Analysis
    • Explainer
    • Environment & Wildlife
    • Health & Wellness
  • In Memoriam
  • Subscribe to Newsletter
  • Submit your opinion
  • Terms and conditions

All rights reserved to Israel Hayom

Hosted by sPD.co.il

Newsletter

[contact-form-7 id=”508379″ html_id=”isrh_form_Newsletter_en” title=”newsletter_subscribe”]

  • Home
  • News
    • Israel at War
    • Israel
    • United States
    • Middle East
    • Sports
  • Opinions
  • Jewish World
    • Archaeology
    • Antisemitism
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Culture
  • Magazine
    • Feature
    • Analysis
    • Explainer
    • Environment & Wildlife
    • Health & Wellness
  • In Memoriam
  • Subscribe to Newsletter
  • Submit your opinion
  • Terms and conditions

All rights reserved to Israel Hayom

Hosted by sPD.co.il