Former PM Bennett Accuses Netanyahu of Direct Responsibility for October 7th Failures

Former Israeli Prime Minister and ‘Achieving Together’ party leader Naftali Bennett sharply criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, asserting that Netanyahu bears direct personal responsibility for the failures leading up to the October 7th Hamas attacks. Bennett stated that a published report claiming Netanyahu received a warning from UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed ten days before the massacre about Yahya Sinwar's intentions was true.

Bennett elaborated that Netanyahu ignored the warnings, failed to visit the field, did not alert security chiefs, did not prepare Israel for the attack, and did not convene the security cabinet. Instead, Bennett alleged, Netanyahu continued his policy of appeasement towards Hamas, transferring funds to buy temporary quiet, agreeing to more workers entering Israel under Hamas threats, and dismissing security officials' warnings. Bennett claimed Netanyahu was "so captive to his concept" that even regional leaders' warnings did not alter his policy, which he characterized as continuing to divide Israeli society and surrender to terror.

Bennett argued that many Israeli lives could have been saved, including those of residents in the Gaza envelope, victims at the Nova music festival, and soldiers. He called for Netanyahu's immediate resignation, stating that he cannot continue in office or fix the situation. Bennett insisted that replacing the current government is necessary to uncover the truth through a state commission of inquiry, which he claims the current government is actively preventing from being established due to fear of revealing the "terrible truth."

Looking ahead, Bennett expressed optimism that a new government, uniting the people and grounded in reality rather than flawed concepts, would be formed in 50 days, promising to rectify the current situation.