By Gavi Tropper, Features Editor
On the evening of November 11, former Prime Minister of Israel Naftali Bennett joined Yeshiva University President Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman for a public discussion titled “Jewish Identity, Unity, and the Future of Israel.” The Wilf campus’ Heights Lounge was packed with hundreds of students from both campuses, as well as faculty, donors and alumni who gathered to hear the former Prime Minister speak.
Bennett was born and raised in Haifa, and served in Sayeret Matkal, one of the most elite commando units in the Israel Defense Forces. He ran a number of successful high-tech startups. After serving in various ministerial positions in Benjamin Netanyahu’s governments, in June 2021 he became prime minister and presided over an unusual coalition that included left-wing, right-wing and even an Arab party. Although joined by a common desire to oust Netanyahu, internal divisions did eventually force the coalition to dissolve and Bennett to step down as prime minister a year later. Then, earlier this year, Bennett founded a new party, currently called “Bennet 2026,” under which he is currently running for prime minister ahead of Israel’s elections next October.
The event constituted the second installment of Rabbi Berman’s “Great Conversations” series, in which he invites major leaders to discuss questions about their work in front of the YU community. Bennett’s appearance at YU was made possible by Terri and Andrew Herrenstein, who contacted Bennett and invited him to speak at YU on the occasion of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks’ fifth yahrtzeit (anniversary of passing). The The Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks-Herenstein Center for Values and Leadership also donated 300 copies of The Eternal Conversation, a collection of letters and writings of Rabbi Sacks, which were distributed to the first students to arrive.
After a VIP reception during which YU trustees could meet Bennett personally, he sat beside Rabbi Berman on a stage in the Heights Lounge. They discussed Bennett’s perspectives on issues relating to both Israel itself as well as the relationship between Israel and the diaspora. “I see a direct correlation and connection between Israel’s strength and your strength, and vice versa. It’s there, it’s tangible.” Bennettt said. “We need a strong Jewish diaspora, and you need a strong Israel.”
One of the primary points the two addressed was the dramatic rise of antisemitism in America in recent years. “Honestly I didn’t feel there was meaningful antisemitism in America during my lifetime,” Bennett said. “Now there’s real, full-fledged antisemitism. It’s not a wolf cry, it’s there. And it’s explicit, it’s being normalized, it’s moving into the mainstream.”
Bennet was also asked about rising anti-Zionism. “There’s a line that I accept criticism — I criticize our government,” Bennett said. “But when you say that ‘Israel is a colonial project,’ and you say, ‘Israel has no right to exist,’ but ‘I’m not an antisemite’ — that’s nonsense.”
Bennett did admit that Israel’s public messaging to the world could use some work. “When a particular Israeli minister does stupid things, so that the stupidity reverberates across the world — I think sometimes ministers and politicians in Israel have a very myopic view, a very narrow view, and don’t understand the ramifications of what they say,” he said. “HaChayim ViHaMavet BiYad HaLashon, life and death is on our tongue, and in this case it’s literally true.” Bennett was presumably referring to various statements made by those like Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotritch, who have garnered intense condemnation from the international community for their attitude toward Arabs.
Bennett discussed his campaign for prime minister, making sure to stress the preeminence of national security in his platform. “First we have to be strong — and I keep emphasizing that, be strong, and do good. But you can’t do good without being strong. We need both components.”
He made a similar emphasis on security when discussing his previous experiences as prime minister. “In Israel the margin of error does not exist because we are always under existential threat,” he said. “So, I assigned a big percentage of my time and resources on defense, even though there are lots of things we have to take care of — transportation, crime, education, economy.”
When asked for his thoughts about partnering with nations that don’t share Israel’s values, Bennett responded, “Obviously shared values are a great thing, but we’re living in the real world.” He continued, “You have to have a hierarchy of priorities. My priority is for the Jewish people. There are enough other people in the world that take care of the rest,” adding, “So I’ll tell you the truth: First, I have to take care of the Jewish people. I’ll help on global warming, but it’s not my first priority.”
Bennett concluded by urging the audience to advocate for Israel in their daily lives, especially when confronted with people condemning Israel. “Fight back. Do not be silent in the workplace, in college, wherever. Fight back.”
Photo Credit: Shloimy Lowy