Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett claimed former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened him in a series of interviews released Thursday.
Bennett and Netanyahu held a series of meetings in May of last year to attempt to establish a right-wing coalition. Netanyahu reportedly demanded Bennett approve another election cycle; which Bennett didn’t agree with, Israeli media reported.
“When he realized that I didn’t intend to let him drag Israel into a fifth election, he really threatened me,” Bennett said in an interview with Haaretz.
Quoting Netanyahu, Bennett said, “‘Listen,’ he said to me, ‘if I understand correctly what you’re going to do, you should know that I am going to employ my entire machine, the army against you,'” according to Haaretz.
Bennett also spoke of Netanyahu’s corruption cases, stating he is in favor of a plea deal.
“I would not like to see Netanyahu in jail, in a prisoner’s uniform,” he said to Haaretz. “That is not an image that would bring honor to him or the country’s citizens.”
In a separate interview with Ynet, Bennett said he knew of the criticism surrounding him.
“Seven months ago, when I decided to form this government, I knew I was going to be crushed like no one was crushed,” the Israeli prime minister said to Ynet.
“I did not know if I would be able to form the government, but I formed it. It was the hardest and bravest decision I have ever made in my life. It takes greater courage than in the military.”
Source: Israeli media
