Naftali Bennett unveils B’Yachad party plan to cut bureaucracy, boost support for olim - interview

Former prime minister Naftali Bennett, leader of B’Yachad party, unveiled his party’s plan to cut bureaucracy, boost support for immigrants to Israel (olim) and help them build successful lives in the country. The party is one of the leading opposition factions seeking to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the upcoming election scheduled for October 27.

Bennett, drawing on his own family’s experience, emphasized the challenges faced by olim in professional, personal, and other aspects. He stated that aliyah, the growth of immigrants, and their success is a barometer for the wellbeing of Israeli society as a whole.

Bennett questioned whether the current government is creating an Israel where Jews feel secure, can earn a living, and build their futures, or if it is making life harder. He promised that by addressing the specific challenges facing olim head-on and rectifying the broken aspects of Israeli life, the government would once again confirm that the answers to these questions are "Yes."

The aliyah plan focuses on providing support to olim by eliminating bureaucracy and assisting them in finding homes and jobs, while also ensuring they become integral members of Israeli society. Key elements of the plan include creating a single office for new immigrants to receive benefits and services, rather than dealing with multiple agencies, and streamlining the recognition of foreign higher education degrees to facilitate olim's employment in their professions.

Bennett's B’Yachad party also aims to expand support for young olim, easing their transition into education, the workforce, and Israeli society to reduce the rate of departures. Additionally, the party plans to work towards bringing home over 250,000 Israelis who have emigrated in recent years.

The party further pledged to strengthen support for lone soldiers, providing them with enhanced benefits and advance living stipends for discharged lone soldiers who require them. They also aim to help older citizens by expanding employment, volunteering, and recreational opportunities to combat loneliness among the senior population.

B’Yachad's party statement emphasized their vision for Israel as a "Jewish, democratic, liberal, and prosperous country that offers a promising future for both their careers and families."