Ben-Gvir: Netanyahu Not Blameless for Oct. 7, but Others More So
Translated & summarized from Srugim by baba
Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir told Time magazine that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu bears some blame for the October 7th failures but is less guilty than intelligence and military officials. Ben-Gvir also advocated for conquering Gaza and encouraging voluntary emigration from the Strip. Despite criticism, he expressed preference for Netanyahu as Prime Minister over Gadi Eisenkot, stating he wants to be a senior minister in a full right-wing government.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Minister Ben-Gvir told Time magazine Netanyahu is not blameless for Oct. 7 failures.
- Ben-Gvir stated intelligence and military officials are more guilty than Netanyahu.
- He called for conquering Gaza and promoting voluntary emigration from the Strip.
- Ben-Gvir prefers Netanyahu as Prime Minister over Gadi Eisenkot.
- He wants to serve as a senior minister in a full right-wing government.
Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir stated in an interview with the American magazine Time that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is not blameless for the failures leading to the October 7th attacks, but asserted that others bear greater responsibility. Ben-Gvir, who rarely grants interviews, indicated that while Netanyahu made mistakes, the primary failures lay with Israel's intelligence and military. "Our intelligence, the army, the intelligence, the Shin Bet. Everyone is guilty," Ben-Gvir said, adding, "Netanyahu is not blameless, but there are many other people who are more guilty than him."
The interview, published ahead of Israeli elections, portrayed Ben-Gvir as a "militant far-right figure" aiming to push Netanyahu further right and increase his reliance on extremist parties advocating for Palestinian emigration from Gaza and the West Bank, and for Israeli sovereignty over the territories. Ben-Gvir reiterated his stance on Gaza, stating, "If Israel wants to continue to live and not be destroyed, we must conquer all of Gaza. We must promote voluntary emigration." He described Gaza as a beautiful place that could be a "Riviera" but insisted it could not harbor any Hamas members.
Despite his criticism, Ben-Gvir expressed support for Netanyahu remaining Prime Minister, calling him a "leader." He clarified that he does not blindly support Netanyahu and is not his "courtier," but stated he prefers Netanyahu "a million times" over Gadi Eisenkot. Ben-Gvir believes that for Netanyahu to truly govern as a right-wing leader, he needs Ben-Gvir as a senior minister in a fully right-wing government.
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