Naftali Bennett said Monday night at a closed-door gathering of activists that he does not regret forming a coalition government with Mansour Abbas and the Ra’am party, despite the controversy it generated.

Bennett acknowledged that the move hurt many people but said he remains convinced it was the correct choice under the circumstances at the time. “I regret that I caused pain to people, but I stand behind my considerations. I stand behind the decision. At the time, we went to elections and I truly did not know Mansour Abbas; like all the parties, I said I would not sit with them,” he said.

At the same time, Bennett made clear that his current position is fundamentally different in light of the October 7 attacks. He said that the political reality in Israel has changed and ruled out any future reliance on Arab parties. “Since October 7, there is no mandate in the State of Israel to form a government based on Arab parties. We will establish a unity government under my leadership, a Zionist government based on an alliance of those who serve, and that is what will happen. We are going to win and we are going to form it,” Bennett declared.

While Bennett was speaking inside the venue, Likud activists gathered outside to protest. Addressing the demonstration, Bennett accused Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu of avoiding a direct confrontation and instead encouraging disruption.

“Instead of doing a debate, which he is afraid to do, he sends activists to disrupt. Be a man, face me, don’t send activists. Whenever you want-name a place, name a time-I am ready to face Bibi on any issue. But not through paid activists; that’s not being a man,” Bennett said.

{Matzav.com}