Former Likud Minister Limor Livnat Announces Support for Naftali Bennett
Former Likud veteran and minister Limor Livnat announced her support for Naftali Bennett in the upcoming elections, criticizing Benjamin Netanyahu for steering the party away from Menachem Begin's heritage.
Former Education and Culture Minister Limor Livnat, a veteran senior figure in the Likud party, announced that she will support Naftali Bennett in the upcoming elections.
In a post published on the social network X, Livnat explained that her political positions have not changed, but stated that the Likud party under the leadership of Benjamin Netanyahu has moved away from the values and heritage of Menachem Begin.
Reasons for Defection
"I have decided: I am with Bennett! To tell the truth, it wasn't hard. Like me, he is for the wholeness of the country, against a Palestinian state, for the necessary societal repair of unity against division and schism, and of course against draft evasion," Livnat wrote.
She further attacked the party in which she was active for decades:
"I was in Likud for 50 years, and I didn't move a millimeter from my opinions. Netanyahu and Likud turned it into Kahanist and threw away the splendor and heritage of Begin. So Bennett!"
Deep Rift with Likud
Livnat's announcement marks a shift to public support for Bennett, though her sharp criticism of Likud and the direction the party has taken is not new. In August, following the Likud primaries, Livnat harshly criticized her former party, stating that Likud has reached the end of its road and needs to pass from the world.
Her alienation from Likud has also been reflected in her autobiographical book published in 2024, where she detailed the factors leading to the severing of ties between her and the party against the backdrop of changes in the identity of its elected officials.
