Bennett Unveils Security and Foreign Policy Plan Ahead of Elections

Former Israeli Prime Minister and "Together" party leader Naftali Bennett presented his political vision for the upcoming elections, emphasizing the need to restore Israel's standing internationally, particularly with the United States. Bennett stated that a strong relationship with Washington is crucial for Israel's success on both the battlefield and the diplomatic front. He praised President Donald Trump as a supportive leader but criticized the current Israeli government for lacking a partner to achieve diplomatic victories, promising that his government would be a proactive partner.

Bennett declared a "diplomatic state of emergency," arguing that decisions about Israel's future are being made by foreign leaders and hostile nations are shaping its borders. If elected, he pledged to implement his "octopus strategy" to directly confront Iran, not just its proxies, and revive a plan to weaken the Iranian regime, which he initiated as prime minister but was halted.

Regarding Gaza, Bennett vowed to complete the disarmament of Hamas, proposing the removal of Qatar and Turkey from regional mediation roles due to their alleged support for Hamas, and their replacement with Egypt and other nations interested in Hamas's dismantling. For the northern front, he suggested a combination of economic and political pressure on Hezbollah, coupled with maintaining the security buffer zone until the organization is disarmed. He also called for security agreements with Syria to help distance Turkey and secure recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights.

Bennett outlined a plan to integrate Israel into regional economic projects, aiming to transform it from an isolated nation to a central hub, citing the potential of initiatives like the IMEC corridor to bring billions of dollars to Israel. He set a red line regarding Saudi Arabia's civilian nuclear program, vowing to prevent uranium enrichment on Saudi soil, which he warned could lead to a dangerous nuclear arms race. He criticized Prime Minister Netanyahu for potentially allowing this without a normalization commitment.

Addressing relations with Europe, Bennett claimed he and opposition leader Yair Lapid are working to delay anti-Israel measures, with some European countries willing to postpone decisions until after the Israeli elections. He concluded by linking Israel's international standing to internal strength, calling for an "internal renaissance" to achieve a "diplomatic renaissance."