Naftali Bennett Condemns Aryeh Deri for Attacking IDF Chief and Undermining Israel

Former Israeli Prime Minister and leader of the "Together" party, Naftali Bennett, sharply criticized Shas party chairman Aryeh Deri on Thursday for his recent attacks against IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi. Bennett argued that Deri's criticism harms the Israel Defense Forces and strengthens Israel's enemies. "Deri's attacks on the Chief of Staff strengthen Israel's enemies and weaken the IDF," Bennett said at the start of his remarks.

Bennett also personally attacked Deri, highlighting a contradiction between Deri's stance on ultra-Orthodox military conscription and his criticism of the Chief of Staff. Bennett accused Deri of boasting about his grandchildren not serving in the army while blaming Kochavi for the resulting situation. He held Deri responsible for societal division and chaos, describing his actions over the years as encouraging mass draft evasion. Bennett emphasized that Deri cannot shift responsibility onto the Chief of Staff and added, "Only in the government formed after October 7 does someone like Deri dare to blame the Chief of Staff for his own failures."

Addressing IDF commanders and soldiers, Bennett urged them to hold firm and promised political change soon, saying, "Hold strong, reinforcements are on the way. This will end soon."

Earlier the same day, Aryeh Deri appeared on the "Kikar HaShabbat" program, where he accused the Chief of Staff of losing his grip and politicizing the military by allegedly aiding the left-wing bloc during election season. Deri called this a dangerous precedent that caused significant damage to the army.

Bennett also criticized the entire current coalition government, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Deri, and Bezalel Smotrich, blaming them for mistreating soldiers and commanders. He accused the coalition of abusing those serving in the military.