Bennett Confronted Over 2018 Flash Flood Deaths

Former Minister of Education Naftali Bennett was confronted by the mother of a girl who died in the 2018 Zafit Stream flash flood disaster during an election rally. The mother, Bar Shalom, accused Bennett, who was minister at the time, of lying about his actions following the tragedy.

Bennett responded that he personally met with all ten affected families after the disaster and appeared before the investigation committee, stating he did not evade responsibility. He claimed his actions were the opposite of what was being suggested and that he conducted his own investigation. Shalom interrupted him, asserting the committee was established against his wishes, to which Bennett replied he agreed to its formation, prompting her to call him a liar. The father of Ilan, Uriel, joined in the accusations, and the two parents left the event.

In April 2018, ten trainees and candidates from the Bnei Zion pre-military academy drowned in a flash flood at Zafit Stream. At the time, Bennett served as Minister of Education, and the pre-military academies fell under his ministry's purview. Reports indicate Bennett met with the families approximately eight months after the incident.

A subsequent internal investigation, led by Shlomo Ahronishki, revealed severe negligence. The parents insisted on an independent committee, and about a year after the disaster, then-Prime Minister Netanyahu announced the formation of a government inquiry committee. This committee concluded that oversight of the academies was minimal to non-existent.

In a 2022 interview, Sarrit and Itzik Orr, parents of Ella who perished in the flood, stated Bennett opposed the investigation committee to advance his political career, claiming he did not believe in inquiry commissions. Bennett himself admitted in testimony at the time that he initially did not think the committee was necessary but later stated it was good that it was established. He was also questioned about why he did not resign, to which he replied that he had taken responsibility long before, explaining his role was to facilitate progress with minimal dismissals and that a minister cannot be a universal expert.