Naftali Bennett
Naftali BennettFlash90

Education Minister Naftali Bennett declared this week that the Jewish Home party was “allied” with the haredi factions, and that he would not betray them by helping to form a new coalition at their expense.

“I see our cooperation with the haredi parties as something permanent,” Bennett said during an interview with Mishpacha magazine.

“I’m not going to sit in an [alternative] government at the expense of the haredim,” said Bennett, adding that “we have a shared ideological element – the Land of Israel.”

“There is a connection between the haredi public and the Land of Israel. The haredi public is right-wing. During the Bein HaZmanim [yeshiva vacation period] going all over the country.”

The Jewish Home chairman even paid some direct compliments to haredi MKs.

“I think the alliance with Litzman is real, deep, and strategic,” he said, referring to Health Minister and United Torah Judaism chairman Yaakov Litzman, calling the union “more than just political.”

“I see an opportunity here to bridge the gap between two groups. I’ve found a person who cares about all of Israel, and that’s something unique I think,” adding that “even the secular public… sees him as someone who cares for the whole country.”

Bennett also praised his Deputy Education Minister, UTJ MK Meir Porush.

“My relationship with Deputy Minister Porush is great. I have only good things to say about him. He does good work. There is no built-in tension, and I have full faith him and give him a free hand [in his work].”