麻豆APP

10 Facts About Naftali Bennett

Naftali Bennett is the current Israel Prime Minister from 13^th June 2021, a former military commander at Israel Special Forces (Sayeret Matkal and Maglan), a software entrepreneur, and an Israeli politician. Born to American parents who had migrated to Haifa, Northern Israel, after the Six Day War in the late 60s. He has served in various positions in the previous Israeli governments since 2013.

1 His Parents Immigrated from San Francisco

Born in Haifa Northern Israel on March 25, 1972, as the last born son  to Jim and Myrna Bennett .

His parents were Jim Bennet an accomplished  real estate entrepreneur and  Myrna Bennett a director of affairs for North America and Canada Immigrants.

Both his parents were from Ashkenazi Jewish backgrounds who migrated to Israel in July 1967 shortly after the six day war.

In the summer of 1973 when he was one year old his family moved back to Sanfrancisco only to return later when his father was recalled for millitary duty during Lebanese war in October the same Year.

In 1976 his  family moved to Montreal where he started schooling at Chabad Preschool and later  back to Israel after two years where he was enrolled at Yavne Yeshiva a religious high school.

2 Served in the IDF during 鈥淥peration Grapes of wrath鈥� in Lebanon

Bennet was drafted in the Israel Defense  Forces(IDF) in 1990 and completed his mandatory service in 1996.

Naftali Benett served in the both the elite military unit Sayeret Matkal as well as the Maglan.

During his service in 1996 he was involved in a controversial operation know an as the 鈥淥perations grapes of wrath鈥� that led to what is referred as  Qana Massacre, due to the shelling of a United Mission compound in Beirut leading to the loss of 104 civilians.

He is accused of making a distress call without disclosing his proximity to a protected area- the United Nations compound in Hebron, this led to Israel calling off the operation prematurely.

3 He Successfully Participated in Founding Tech Startups in the United States

In 1999, together with Michal Tzur, Lior Golan, and Amir Orad in upper Manhattan, he co-founded Cyota an online encryption security network solution provider to prevent various types of online fraud targeting e-commerce platforms. His company, after being operational for six years, was acquired by RSA in 2005 for $145 million. This transaction made him one of Israel鈥檚 wealthiest politicians.

In 2009 he was hired as CEO of Soluto, an emerging cloud cryptology start-up, he successfully steered it to success, and in 2013 for a reported $100鈥�130 million it was sold to and Bennet again cashed in on his investment. He is currently estimated to have a net worth of $10 million.

4 He is Married and a Father of Four 

Naftali Bennett poses for a photo with his wife Gilat :Photo by Chidon Hatanach, 2017

He Married Gilat in 1999 when she  was a law student at the  Hebrew University. She later trained as a confectionery and  currently  is a pastry chef, a certified counselor and a sleep consultant. Together they have four children.

5 He Closely Worked with Benjamin Netanyahu Upon Entry Into Israel Politics

From 2006 to 2008, Bennett served as Benjamin Netanyahu’s Chief of Staff. In 2010, he was chosen to be the Director General of the Yesha Council, the institution responsible for Israel Settlements in the Lands conquered in 1967  during  the six day war, he  worked against a settlement freeze  as he believes in Israel natural growth.

Bennett broke away from the Likud Party and joined Habayit Hayehudi party in January 2013 where the party won 12 seat in Knesset.

He was appointed minister for economy and trade as a reward in contributing to the win. Later in the term, he was appointed Minister for Jerusalem and home affairs.

6 He formed New Right Party as a Break Away from Jewish Home MK Party in the 20^th  Knesset

Knesset Buildings-Photo By Beny Shlevich

In December 2018, Bennett was among the members of the Jewish Home MKs party who left the party and formed the breakaway New Right Party. However, they did not attain the electoral threshold.

To meet the required thresh hold, Bennet joined hands with Hayamin Hehadash Party to form a The United Right which won 6 seats in the 23^rd Knesset.

He was sworn in on 13 June 2021 after a successful vote of  50 votes against Netanyahu’s 49.

A stalemate was ensured and just before the deadline expired to form a government he agreed to join a coalition with Yair Lapid Yesh Avid Party and six other parties, including the Islamist Ra鈥檃m Party.

The coalition agreed on a rotation prime minister with Bennett serving as prime minister for the first two years and Yair Lapid for the second two years.

7 He is the First Religious Prime Minister

Like his parents who were Modern Orthodox Jews, Bennet, unlike all the previous Israel Prime Ministers known to be secular, Naftali Bennet is still religious, his wife who was initially secular converted and now keeps a kosher home including observing Sabbath.

Due to his religious inclination, he was opposed to the implementation of same-sex marriage in Israel and has in the past refused to meet with gay Orthodox groups.

8 He is Fluent in English

Like his predecessor Benjamin Netanyahu, having lived in Montreal, Canada in his childhood and moved to New York in 1999 into entrepreneurship, Bennet is fluent in English speaker. Having worked and set up businesses in America his level of English competence is above normal Israelis.

9 He is opposed to the formation of a Palestine  State

Naftali Bennet is opposed to any plan of formation or annexation of Palestine state. He has in the past developed a settlement plan where he proposes continued expansion of Westbank Settlement as Gaza is ruled over by Egypt.

10 The first Israel Prime Minister to Visit the United Arab Emirates

On 12 December 2021, Naftali Bennet made history when he became the first Israeli Prime Minister to visit the United Arab Emirates(UAE).By meeting with the crown prince of the Emirates of Abu Dhabi, Mohamed bin Zayed was at his private palace in Abu Dhabi.

This followed fifteen months after they signed a normalization agreement at the White House.

His premiership has pointed at a more liberal foreign policy with non-traditional allies.