Netanyahu Blamed for October 7th Failures Amidst Political Maneuvering

Columnist Ben Caspit argues that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu bears ultimate responsibility for the failures leading to the October 7th Hamas attacks, asserting that historical judgment has already been passed on him, regardless of specific warnings or intelligence. Caspit contends that no other leader in any nation would remain in power after such a catastrophic event on their watch.

The article criticizes Netanyahu's alleged refusal to accept responsibility, contrasting his continued tenure with the resignations of security chiefs. It suggests Netanyahu deflects blame onto others, including past agreements like Oslo and his own "containment policy" towards Hamas, which he allegedly fostered over years. Caspit dismisses Netanyahu's explanations and actions, such as the Bar-Ilan speech or the handling of the Hebron agreement, as attempts to maintain power rather than secure the nation.

Caspit also addresses reports that UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed warned Netanyahu of impending danger from Hamas prior to October 7th. The article notes the UAE's non-denial of these reports as an implicit confirmation. It further cites historical instances where Netanyahu allegedly bypassed security protocols and conducted sensitive negotiations independently, including with Hamas and regarding German submarine sales to Egypt, suggesting a pattern of unilateral decision-making and distrust in established systems.

The piece concludes by characterizing Netanyahu's leadership style as one of extreme superiority and isolation, where he views others as mere "officials" and believes he alone can manage national affairs. This alleged mindset, Caspit posits, explains Netanyahu's handling of the reported warning from bin Zayed and his approach to forming governments, where he allegedly centralizes all decision-making and avoids consulting with advisors or security officials.