Naftali Bennett is an Israeli politician and former Prime Minister of Israel who served from June 13, 2021, to June 30, 2022, and as Alternate Prime Minister from July 1 to November 8, 2022. Born on March 25, 1972, in Haifa, Israel, to American parents who immigrated in 1967 after the Six-Day War, he grew up in a family with strong Zionist ties. Bennett is a former high-tech entrepreneur, co-founding and leading successful software companies including Cyota, a cybersecurity firm sold for $145 million in 2005, and Soluto, acquired by Microsoft in 2014. He has been an advocate for technological innovation, promoting Israel's "Startup Nation" agenda and advancements in cybersecurity.

His military service spanned six years in the Israel Defense Forces, including roles as a combat soldier in the elite Sayeret Matkal unit, a company commander in the Maglan Special Forces Unit specializing in behind-enemy-lines operations, and as an alumnus of Unit 8200 focused on cyber operations. Bennett continued reserve duty, rising to the rank of major while building his business career abroad.

Entering politics in 2013, Bennett joined the Knesset as a member and leader (2012-2018) of The Jewish Home party, a religious Zionist, right-wing faction. In 2018, he founded the New Right party, which evolved into Yamina, a right-wing party he led that emphasized settlement expansion in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, promoted Jewish heritage initiatives, and advocated hawkish security policies regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, alongside more centrist economic policies. Bennett has often clashed with longtime rival Benjamin Netanyahu.

As Prime Minister, Bennett headed an unprecedented eight-party unity government—a coalition formed primarily to oust Netanyahu—focusing on economic recovery post-COVID-19, technological innovation, and maintaining relative calm with Palestinians. After the government's collapse in 2022, he stepped back from active politics but remains an influential figure in Israeli public discourse, opposition politics, and pro-Israel advocacy, particularly through social media, championing right-wing policies, critiquing judicial reforms, and supporting a strong U.S.-Israel alliance.