Bennett Rally Ends With Suspect Arrest

A 23-year-old man from Givatayim was arrested on Saturday night following a physical confrontation at a political rally in Tel Aviv.

The suspect was allegedly under the influence of alcohol when he attempted to breach the security perimeter surrounding former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. He shouted the slogan “Only Bibi” in support of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while pushing toward the event’s leadership team.

Bennett, chairman of the B'Yachad party, was speaking at the gathering to demand the creation of a commission of inquiry into the failures leading to the October 7 massacre. The suspect ignored instructions from guards to stay back and shoved one bodyguard after being pushed away from the front line.

Security personnel subdued the man and held him at the scene until police arrived. Officers transported the suspect to a local police station for questioning. An initial check revealed he has no prior criminal record. Investigators are currently reviewing the circumstances of the incident.

The event took place in a park in Tel Aviv just days ahead of the 2026 Knesset elections. Israeli Defense Forces soldiers had already cast their ballots at military polling stations earlier in the week. Bennett served as prime minister from June 2021 to June 2022.