Netanyahu says he is in talks with potential successor

When pressed on when such a transition might occur, Prime Minister Netanyahu declined to provide a timeline.

By World Israel News Staff

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed in a bombshell interview on Thursday that he is preparing a potential successor to replace him as leader of the Likud party — and presumably as prime minister of Israel.

The revelation came during an interview with i24 News after journalist Sharon Gal, who is considered friendly toward Netanyahu, asked the prime minister whether he had a candidate in mind whom he would feel comfortable “handing over the keys to the country,” meaning someone he believed could responsibly succeed him after he eventually leaves political life.

“Yes, I think there is” a candidate for the job, Netanyahu said.

Gal appeared surprised by the response and followed up by asking whether Netanyahu was actively mentoring the individual and holding discussions with the person about a possible transition of power.

The journalist referred to the potential successor using the masculine form in Hebrew, suggesting that the candidate was a man.

Netanyahu immediately pushed back on that assumption.

“How do you know [we’re speaking about] him and not her? You’re narrowing down” the options, he replied.

The comment appeared to indicate that Netanyahu may be considering a female successor.

Netanyahu reiterated that he was indeed working with or considering a potential successor, saying that “the answer is yes” when asked whether he was preparing someone to eventually take over his leadership role.

However, when pressed on when such a transition might occur, Netanyahu declined to provide a timeline.

He did not identify the potential successor by name, leaving speculation over whether he is referring to a current Likud minister, an emerging political figure, or someone outside the party’s current leadership structure.

Netanyahu has dominated Israeli politics for nearly two decades, serving as prime minister for a total of 18 years. His first term lasted from 1996 to 1999, before he returned to power in 2009 and remained in office until June 2021.

After a brief period in opposition while Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid served as prime ministers, Netanyahu returned to office in December 2022.