Critic of Israel’s Prime Minister Naftali Bennett is banned from re-election bid

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett speaks at a press conference (Maya Alleruzzo/AP)

Israel’s parliament has barred a longtime critic of Prime Minister Naftali Bennett from running for re-election with any political faction, giving the premier a small political victory as he seeks to stabilise the country’s fragile governing coalition.

The Knesset committee voted 7-0 on Monday to take action against Amichai Chikli, declaring him a “defector”.