Naftali Bennett on pardoning Netanyahu: "I am in favor, provided he does not return to politics"
Naftali Bennett supports a pardon and the end of the Netanyahu trial, but conditions it on his complete retirement from political life: "He is not a young man, I do not want to see him in an orange jumpsuit."
Former Prime Minister and Chairman of the "Beyad" party, Naftali Bennett, spoke openly about the issue of the trial and the pardon of Benjamin Netanyahu. In a conversation held as part of journalist Itay Segal's podcast on the All In podcast network, Bennett declared that he supports ending the legal proceedings and granting a pardon to the Prime Minister — but set a clear and unequivocal condition: Netanyahu's complete and final retirement from the political arena.
"If he goes home and cannot return — of course I am in favor of a pardon and ending the trial. I will also explain why. First of all, I have no hatred for him and no feeling of revenge, he does not interest me. But Netanyahu, to a large extent, for significant parts of the people of Israel, is a symbol — to the level where he is perceived alongside the flag and the menorah. I have no interest in trampling, humiliating, or harming this symbol."
When asked if this position remains valid even after the events of October 7, Bennett replied that for large parts of the public, the perception of Netanyahu as a symbol has not changed.
"You know, the man is approaching eighty soon, he is not a young Jew. I do not want to see him in an orange jumpsuit. He did not go and commit murder, he committed offenses that are apparently wrong, but unequivocally — if he is out of politics, I do not want to see him in prison. I am interested in the country moving forward."
As recalled, as part of his recent media activity, Bennett also appeared on the podcast of "Big Brother" winner Tikva Gideon and social media star Adir Mizrahi, where he revealed details about his attitude toward money, explaining that the main thing money gives him is freedom.
When asked if he treats himself to "toys" like a private jet or a helicopter, he answered in the negative and revealed where he does choose to spend:
"What I do splurge on is books, and lots and lots of vacations with the family abroad."
