Former PM Bennett Calls to Eliminate Hamas, Recalls Oct. 7

Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett described his experience on the morning of October 7, 2023, receiving calls for help from Kibbutz Be'eri as terrorists infiltrated the community. He stated he contacted top political and security officials, urging them to send forces to the kibbutz. In a recent interview, Bennett expressed outrage that Hamas remains active three years after the previous conflict, calling it "a disgrace." He asserted that Hamas can be eliminated, comparing it to the defeat of the Nazis, and emphasized the need to expel Qatar, which he accused of funding terrorism and potentially having individuals in the Prime Minister's office on its payroll.

Bennett recounted his personal actions on October 7, including contacting reserve unit commanders and even driving to a base with his own pistol to try and mobilize forces southward. He described witnessing soldiers preparing for a "war" rather than a "pogrom" and took it upon himself to direct units to move south immediately. He also recalled Ofir Liebstein, the head of the Eshkol Regional Council and a personal friend, as the first named victim of the October 7th massacre, noting Liebstein's dedication to his community and his death while fighting terrorists.

Addressing his own tenure, Bennett acknowledged that during his premiership, "prepaid cards" were transferred to Hamas, though he characterized this as a "small part" of their funding and stated his government stopped the transfer of cash suitcases. He claimed his government had a plan to eliminate Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, which was approved by the IDF and Shin Bet, but admitted that the possibility of a raid on Gaza border communities was not within his immediate considerations. Bennett criticized the broader Israeli policy since 2013 of relying on the border fence and funding Hamas.

Looking ahead, Bennett stated his intention to run for Prime Minister, citing his experience and a capable team, but expressed willingness to support any candidate who can replace the current "terrible government." He emphasized his "obsession" is to "fix Israel," not necessarily to hold a specific role, and suggested he, Lieberman, and Gadi could collaborate to determine the strongest candidate for forming a government, prioritizing national interest over personal ego.

Concluding the interview, Bennett expressed optimism about Israel's future, drawing parallels to its establishment shortly after the Holocaust. He attributed the resilience shown on October 7th to the Israeli people, police, soldiers, and civilian emergency response teams, stating that with worthy leadership, the nation will thrive.