Netanyahu Responsible for October 7 Failures, Says New Party Member

Netali Sham Tov, a member of the newly formed "Am Israel" party founded by Ofer Winter, stated that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu bears responsibility for the failures leading to the October 7th Hamas attacks. Despite this assertion, Sham Tov indicated that the party would recommend Netanyahu for prime minister, while also calling on other right-wing parties to abandon "political blackmail" and aspirations for the premiership to form a broad unity government.

Sham Tov clarified that while Winter believes Netanyahu is responsible, the party's decision to recommend him stems from a choice between Netanyahu and Benny Gantz, with Netanyahu being the preferred option. She emphasized that Netanyahu "certainly" is responsible and that "everyone who was involved will be investigated and will answer for it." The party aims to join the government and push for significant changes, including the integration of ultra-Orthodox men into the IDF, a decisive approach to conflict, immigration policies, and judicial reform.

Regarding potential political alliances, Sham Tov revealed that members of her party, including herself, received offers to join the Likud party, with the possibility of prominent positions. However, they declined these offers to establish a "new and clean framework" capable of advocating for their agenda. She stated that her party is committed to establishing a new investigative committee into the October 7th failures, but opposes the current model where the Supreme Court president appoints its members, believing it lacks public trust and the authority to investigate all state bodies.

Sham Tov urged right-wing parties to set aside personal ambitions and join a broad right-wing government, stating that her party has principles it will uphold and that greater electoral strength will allow them to advance their positions. She did not provide a clear answer on whether her party would support Netanyahu's bloc if it fell short of 61 seats, reiterating her expectation for right-wing parties to join such a coalition.