Naftali Bennett’s opposition to illegal West Bank construction drew heavy condemnation from security-minded nationalist officials.
A sharp political divide erupted on Monday evening over the rule of law and the future of Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria. Naftali Bennett, chairman of the “Together” party, explicitly clarified his stance on outpost farms and construction, drawing a hard line between legal expansion and lawless building.
While Bennett vocally championed legal Israeli development, his refusal to tolerate illegal outposts triggered immediate, severe condemnation from right-wing leaders who view the defense of these agricultural outposts as a vital line of defense for the nation.
Bennett’s Stance on Area C and Autonomy
During his address, Bennett outlined a clear framework for how the territory should be managed, emphasizing a commitment to legal procedures:
- Support for Sovereign Construction: Bennett stated that legal construction on state land within Area C that does not infringe on private Palestinian property is entirely welcome.
- Zero Tolerance for Illegality: He firmly rejected unlawful initiatives, declaring, “What is illegal will not stand,” when questioned about whether he would authorize the evacuation of illegally established projects.
- The Long-Term Vision: Bennett backed legal settlement by asserting that Area C must ultimately become an inseparable part of the State of Israel, while Areas A and B should function under a Palestinian autonomy.
Right-Wing Leaders Sound the Alarm
Bennett’s remarks were met with fierce resistance from nationalist leaders and regional security officials, who argued that his vision plays directly into the hands of hostile regional actors.
“An Eisenkot government will establish a Palestinian terror state and destroy the new communities and agricultural farms. They must not be allowed to form the next government.” — Bezalel Smotrich, Finance Minister and Religious Zionist Party Chairman
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich lambasted the statements, warning that permitting a “Palestinian autonomy” essentially paves the way for a terror state in the absolute heart of Israel.
Israel Ganz, head of the Binyamin Regional Council and chairman of the Yesha Council, reacted with fury, stating that Bennett’s proposals are completely detached from reality following the October 7 massacres. Ganz warned that handing strategic high ground over to thousands of armed Palestinian Authority forces—an entity heavily backed by Iranian influence—would put millions of Israeli lives at risk and turn central Israel into a frontline danger zone.
Echoing these security concerns, Ozel Vatik, head of the Kedumim local council, labeled the remarks defeatist. He countered that the only viable path to protecting Israeli cities like Rosh HaAyin and Ra’anana is to aggressively advance agricultural farm outposts and completely dismantle the dangerous, outdated framework of the Oslo Accords.
