Shikli: Bennett offered me an ambassadorship, just to get me out of the Knesset

Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Shikli attacked former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and former MK Ayelet Shaked at a Likud conference in Petah Tikva, revealing that Bennett offered him a position as ambassador or head of the Jewish Agency in exchange for resigning from the Knesset. Shikli criticized the small right-wing parties and called for their unification.

At a Likud political conference held in Petah Tikva on Sunday evening, Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism Minister Amichai Shikli launched a sharp attack on former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and former Knesset member Ayelet Shaked. In his speech, Shikli revealed new behind-the-scenes details about the formation of the change government, which he opposed. He recounted that Bennett offered him a position as ambassador or head of the Jewish Agency, saying, "Take whatever role you want—just get out of the Knesset." Shikli, who entered the Knesset on the Yamina list and left it over the decision to form a government with center-left factions and the United Arab List, criticized his former party leaders and their media popularity, noting that despite being "celebrities," they failed to pass the electoral threshold. He also took a firm stance against separate runs by small factions in the right-wing bloc, fearing a loss of seats for the national camp, and called on them to unite or step aside.