Former PM Naftali Bennett Warns of Illegal Weapons Threatening Israeli Security

Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett visited the community of Karmit on Sunday, issuing a stark warning about the proliferation of illegal weapons across Israel. He described the situation as a "ticking bomb," emphasizing that hundreds of thousands of illegal arms pose a serious threat to the safety of all Israeli citizens, both Jews and Arabs.

Bennett called for a fundamental shift in how the government addresses illegal arms trafficking, urging authorities to classify it as an act of terrorism rather than a mere criminal issue. He stated, "We will define the failure to stop weapons smuggling as terror and fight it as we eradicate terror." He criticized the current perception of the problem as a criminal matter, calling it a flawed conception that must be broken.

To combat this threat, Bennett proposed an aggressive operational approach involving coordinated efforts among the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Shin Bet, the Border Police, and the Israel Police. He announced plans to establish a "lockdown and prevention" protocol, whereby any area suspected of weapons smuggling based on intelligence would be immediately declared a secured police and security zone. In these zones, security forces would confiscate illegal weapons and treat offenders as terrorists.

Bennett stressed the urgency of the situation, saying, "We have no time to waste. Israel does not need more committees or bureaucratic work but a clear and aggressive action plan starting with decisive leadership." His remarks come amid growing concerns over illegal arms endangering national security.

Separately, Bennett briefly acknowledged the passing of journalist Edward Atler during his speech.