Netanyahu's Responsibility for October 7th Unshakable, Regardless of Warnings

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's leadership is irrevocably tied to the failures preceding the October 7th Hamas attacks, argues this opinion piece. The author contends that the public debate over whether UAE Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed warned Netanyahu about an impending attack is a distraction. Regardless of specific warnings, Netanyahu's "conviction" date is October 7th, 2023, marking the "verdict" of history on his premiership.

The article asserts that Netanyahu cultivated an image of "Mr. Security" for 15 years, leading supporters to believe he was uniquely capable of identifying and preventing threats. However, the author claims this belief persisted even after the "catastrophe" of October 7th, suggesting a "poison machine" and "personality cult" protect Netanyahu from accountability among his base.

The piece dismisses the idea that any specific warning, including those allegedly from bin Zayed, Egyptian officials, or Israeli intelligence agencies, could absolve Netanyahu. It argues that the Prime Minister bears ultimate responsibility for any event occurring under his watch, citing his own repeated emphasis on the premier's sole security authority. Unlike other security chiefs who have resigned and accepted responsibility, Netanyahu is accused of clinging to power and deflecting blame.

The author further criticizes Netanyahu's long tenure, alleging a pattern of actions that strengthened Hamas, including funding and a "containment doctrine" that avoided confronting the organization. Past decisions, such as the Oslo Accords continuation, the Hebron withdrawal, the Bar Ilan speech, and the disengagement from Gaza, are also brought up as examples of policies that, in the author's view, did not align with security imperatives.

Finally, the article touches on the controversial internal politics of the Likud party, highlighting the perceived poor quality of candidates being "armored" into safe spots on the Knesset list, suggesting this reflects Netanyahu's broader mismanagement of the country and his party.