Former PM Bennett Reveals Israel Had No Plan Against Iranian Nuclear Threat in 2021

Former Israeli Prime Minister and leader of the Yamina party, Naftali Bennett, sharply criticized the security approach of current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a speech at the Herzliya Conference held at Reichman University on Wednesday. Bennett disclosed that upon assuming office in June 2021, he was shocked to find that Israel had no operational plan to counter the Iranian nuclear threat. He recounted that his handover briefing with Netanyahu lasted only about twenty minutes and lacked any substantive materials or strategies, including on critical issues such as the economy, diplomacy, and security.

Bennett emphasized his concern over Iran's nuclear advancements, particularly after Iran began enriching uranium to 60 percent. He said he repeatedly pressed Netanyahu for a response plan but was met with silence and no concrete answers. According to Bennett, from 2018 until mid-2021, while Iran rapidly advanced its nuclear program, Israel failed to develop any capabilities or contingency plans to address a potential Iranian nuclear breakout.

He expressed disbelief at how such a security gap could exist, questioning Netanyahu's role and preparedness, especially if the United States did not intervene militarily. Bennett concluded by describing the early months of his premiership as a nightmare, feeling that while Israel prospered externally, it was internally exposed and vulnerable to existential threats.