Bennett’s speech at JPPI turns heated after criticism over October 7

Former prime minister Naftali Bennett spoke on Sunday at a conference of the Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI), where his remarks about Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the failures surrounding October 7 sparked a loud confrontation in the hall. According to journalist Michael Shemesh, Bennett used the stage to sharply attack Netanyahu over the events of October 7 and the most severe security failure in Israel’s history.

Several people in the audience interrupted him with heckles and criticism, shouting, “You accepted it, you did not act against Hamas.” The hecklers also argued that Bennett himself should be blamed, saying the policies of his government contributed to the strengthening of the terror group in the Gaza Strip.

Bennett responded directly and forcefully, drawing a sharp distinction between his time in office and the current government. “My friend, on my watch 1,200 Jews were not murdered in their own country and butchered. Not on my watch,” he said, repeating, “On my watch, 1,200 citizens were not murdered.”

Despite the tense exchange, Bennett ended by trying to project optimism and national resilience. “When, God willing, we succeed in this mission, no one will be able to defeat us,” he concluded.