Bennett Calls for End of ’30 Years of Netanyahu’: ‘Time to Take the Country to a New Chapter’
Reflecto News | Israeli Politics | Elections 2026
TEL AVIV — Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has issued a direct and impassioned call to the Israeli electorate to end Benjamin Netanyahu’s three-decade dominance of national politics, declaring that the country is ready for a “new page, a new chapter” under fresh leadership.
Speaking at the launch of the new “Together” (Yachad) opposition party alongside Yair Lapid, Bennett delivered what effectively serves as the central closing argument of his campaign: that Netanyahu’s time has run out, regardless of his legacy.
“After 30 years of Netanyahu, it’s time to part ways with him and take the country to a new page, a new chapter—and that’s what we will do.”
— Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett
‘Thirty Years’: The Weight of a Political Era
Bennett’s reference to “30 years of Netanyahu” is precise and deliberate. Netanyahu first became Prime Minister in 1996, serving until 1999. After a decade in opposition, he returned to power in 2009 and—aside from the 17-month Bennett-Lapid government (2021-2022)—has held the office ever since.
Netanyahu’s tenure by the numbers:
| Period | Years | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1996–1999 | 3 years | Prime Minister (first term) |
| 2009–2021 | 12 years | Prime Minister (second term) |
| 2021–2022 | 1.5 years | Opposition leader (Bennett-Lapid govt) |
| 2022–present | 4+ years | Prime Minister (current term) |
| Total years in power | 19+ years | — |
| Total years in leadership | 30 years | Including opposition leadership |
Bennett’s framing of “30 years” encompasses not just Netanyahu’s time as Prime Minister but his uninterrupted tenure as the dominant figure in Israeli politics—first as opposition leader (1999-2009) and then as Prime Minister. The message is clear: a generation of Israelis has known no other political reality .
The ‘New Page’ Agenda: What Bennett Promises
Bennett’s “new chapter” is not just a slogan—it reflects a substantive shift in policy and governance. At the party launch, he outlined key differences between a Bennett-led government and the Netanyahu status quo.
| Issue | Netanyahu’s Approach | Bennett’s ‘New Chapter’ |
|---|---|---|
| Coalition partners | Relies on ultra-Orthodox and far-right parties | Willing to govern without Haredi parties |
| Religious coercion | Status quo; Haredi control over personal status | Civil marriage; end to Cyprus travel |
| Military draft | Weak enforcement of Haredi conscription | “Zero tolerance” for draft dodging |
| October 7 inquiry | Resists state commission of inquiry | Promises immediate full investigation |
| Leadership style | Coalition management by negotiation | “I am in charge”; decisive leadership |
The “new page” also implicitly includes a new generation of leadership. Bennett, 54, is nearly two decades younger than Netanyahu, 76. This generational contrast is a subtle but persistent theme in his campaign .
The Fatigue Factor: Voters Ready for Change
Bennett’s call to “part ways” with Netanyahu taps into documented voter fatigue after years of political instability, war, and coalition crises. Israel has held five elections between 2019 and 2022, and the current coalition has faced repeated threats of collapse .
Key voter frustrations:
- Political gridlock: Netanyahu’s narrow coalition (64 out of 120 seats) is perpetually on the brink
- Ultra-Orthodox power: Haredi parties have exercised veto power over state budgets, military draft policies, and religious status laws
- October 7 failures: The government’s refusal to establish a state commission of inquiry has infuriated many voters
- War fatigue: The Iran war (2026) and ongoing Lebanon conflict have strained the nation
Bennett’s “new chapter” message positions him as the candidate who can break the cycle—not by forming another fragile coalition, but by winning decisively and governing with authority .
Likud’s Response: ‘They Tried Before and Failed’
Likud officials quickly dismissed Bennett’s call for a “new chapter,” pointing to the short-lived Bennett-Lapid government (2021-2022) as evidence that the partnership cannot deliver lasting stability.
Likud’s counter-arguments:
- The 2021 precedent: Bennett’s previous government lasted only 17 months before collapsing due to internal defections
- The ‘Arab partner’ attack: Likud will highlight that Bennett’s previous coalition relied on Ra’am, an Arab party
- Security credentials: Netanyahu will argue that only he has the experience to manage Iran, Hezbollah, and the ongoing war
Prime Minister Netanyahu himself responded indirectly on social media, posting: “After 30 years in which I saved this country time and again—from Hamas, from Iran, from international lawfare—Bennett wants to take us back to the chaos of his failed government. Israel doesn’t need experiments. It needs experience.”
Bennett’s retort? Experience without accountability is not a virtue. “Thirty years is enough,” he told supporters .
‘Parting Ways’ with Netanyahu: A Personal History
Bennett’s call to “part ways” with Netanyahu carries personal weight. The two men have a long and complex history:
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2006-2008 | Bennett served as Netanyahu’s Chief of Staff |
| 2012 | Bennett broke away to lead Jewish Home party |
| 2013-2019 | Bennett served as Minister in Netanyahu governments |
| 2019 | Bennett challenged Netanyahu for Likud leadership (failed) |
| 2021 | Bennett formed government that ousted Netanyahu (after 12 consecutive years) |
| 2022 | Netanyahu returned to power after Bennett’s government collapsed |
Bennett was once Netanyahu’s closest protégé. Now he positions himself as the leader who will finally replace him. This personal dimension adds emotional weight to Bennett’s argument: he knows Netanyahu’s strengths and weaknesses better than any other candidate .
The ‘New Chapter’ Tested: Israeli Public Opinion
Recent polling suggests that the electorate is open to a “new chapter,” but still divided.
| Polling Question | Result |
|---|---|
| Netanyahu approval rating (post-October 7) | Low 40s (down from high 50s pre-war) |
| Voters who want Bennett as Prime Minister | ~35% (competitive with Netanyahu) |
| Voters who believe Netanyahu should step down after the war | ~50% |
| Voters who believe Bennett-Lapid can form stable government | ~40% |
Bennett’s challenge is to convert openness to change into actual votes, particularly among right-wing voters who have supported Netanyahu for decades but are exhausted by the chaos .
What ‘New Chapter’ Means for Israeli Democracy
Beyond policy, Bennett’s “new chapter” represents a shift in how Israeli democracy functions. He is explicitly arguing that:
- No leader should hold power for three decades (term limits implied)
- Ultra-Orthodox parties should not hold veto power over secular life
- State commissions of inquiry must investigate government failures—even if embarrassing to those in power
- Coalition stability requires a leader who can say “I am in charge”
This last point may be the most significant. Bennett argues that Netanyahu’s style of coalition management—constantly negotiating with factions to avoid collapse—has created a paralyzed government unable to make decisive choices .
The Last Word
“For thirty years, Netanyahu has told the people of Israel that only he can lead. October 7 proved otherwise. The people saved the country—not the government. It’s time for a government that saves the people. It’s time for a new chapter.”
— Naftali Bennett
Whether voters are ready to turn that page will be determined in the October 2026 elections. But Bennett’s message is now unmistakable: after 30 years, the Netanyahu era must end—and he is the one to end it .
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Has Benjamin Netanyahu really been in power for 30 years?
Netanyahu has been the dominant figure in Israeli politics for 30 years—first as Prime Minister (1996-1999 and 2009-2021, with a brief interruption) and then as opposition leader. He has been Prime Minister for over 19 cumulative years .
Q2. Wasn’t Bennett Prime Minister during those 30 years?
Yes. Bennett served as Prime Minister from June 2021 to July 2022—the only break in Netanyahu’s long dominance of right-wing politics. That government, however, was a diverse coalition that excluded Netanyahu.
Q3. Why does Bennett say “30 years” instead of just counting Netanyahu’s time as Prime Minister?
Bennett’s framing is designed to emphasize that Netanyahu has been the central figure in Israeli politics for a generation, dominating both in power and opposition, and that it is time for a completely new direction.
Q4. What does Bennett mean by “new chapter”?
Bennett’s “new chapter” includes: a state commission of inquiry into October 7, resolution of the marriage crisis (no more flights to Cyprus), enforcement of military conscription for Haredim, and a governing style where the Prime Minister is “in charge.”
Q5. How does Likud respond to Bennett’s “30 years” critique?
Likud argues that Netanyahu’s long experience is an asset, not a liability—particularly during wartime. They point to Bennett’s failed 2021-2022 government as evidence that he cannot deliver stability.
Q6. Is Bennett the only opposition candidate saying this?
Bennett is the most prominent, but this is the central theme of the united Bennett-Lapid campaign. Yair Lapid has similarly called for “turning the page” on the Netanyahu era .
Q7. When will the elections take place?
Israeli elections must be held by October 27, 2026. Bennett’s campaign is already in full swing, framing the vote as a referendum on Netanyahu’s continued leadership after October 7 .
Q8. Is this the first time Bennett has called for Netanyahu to go?
No. Bennett has been calling for a “new era” since he broke with Netanyahu in 2012. However, the post-October 7 context and the merger with Lapid give this call a new urgency .
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