Ex-Likud minister Limor Livnat: Netanyahu era is over, Bennett worthy
"Most of the MKs in the Likud today are Netanyahu's yes men," she said. "They don't criticize him, and so he promotes them according to that."
By JERUSALEM POST STAFF, GIL HOFFMANDefense Minister Naftali Bennett and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Did Bennett teach Netanyahu a lesson this week? (photo credit: ATEF SAFADI/POOL VIA REUTERS)
Former education minister Limor Livnat said on Wednesday that it may be the end of the “era of Netanyahu” and that Yamina Party leader Naftali Bennett is “worthy” to be prime minister.In an interview with 103 FM, the longtime Likud MK said that “Bennett could be prime minister – as long as he leaves Bezalel Smotrich out.”Livnat went on to say that “most of the MKs in the Likud today are Netanyahu’s yes-men. They don’t criticize him, and so he promotes them according to that.”Bennett came out in favor of holding early elections for the first time on Tuesday, after months of saying that it was wrong to initiate another race.Sources close to Bennett said the reason for his change of heart is that the coronavirus lockdown is over, and it will now be possible to hold an election. The sources said it had nothing to do with recent favorable polls, including Sunday’s Channel 13 poll, which found that Yamina trails the Likud by only three seats and could form a government without Netanyahu’s party.Early elections have become increasingly likely due to a dispute between the Likud and Blue and White over the timetable for the 2021 state budget.
