Bennett Calls US-Iran Deal a Dangerous Turn for Israel

Former prime minister Naftali Bennett responded on Monday to the agreement signed between the United States and Iran, sharply attacking the Israeli government over what he said were its consequences for Israel. He described the deal as a "dangerous turn for Israel's security" and argued that only new leadership could fix the situation.

"In the past 1,000 days we have repeatedly seen the greatness of the people and the weakness of the government," Bennett said. He added that in the war with Iran, Israel saw the "tremendous performance" of the IDF and the security forces on the front line, as well as the bravery of the public on the home front.

He said the government had again failed to turn those efforts into lasting security gains. "This is not fate. Israel knew how to win short, strong and bold wars," he said. Bennett also accused the outgoing government of being unable to decide the outcome and of leading Israel into wars of attrition, though he stressed, "It can be fixed."

Bennett said the next government must ensure that "the enormous sacrifice of the people of Israel will not be in vain." He concluded by saying his side has "a clear strategic plan to bring down the Iranian regime," combining efforts to stop Iran from breaking out to nuclear weapons with diplomatic, intelligence, economic, technological and military measures to cause the regime to collapse.