Former Adviser to Bennett Urges Israel to Open Clinics for Gaza Children

Oz Siminovsky, a media figure who briefly joined Naftali Bennett's team before resigning after three weeks, sparked controversy by advocating for Israel to establish medical clinics for children in Gaza. He argued that such clinics should be an Israeli initiative, stating, "I support opening a clinic for Gaza's children. This should have been Israel's idea." Siminovsky emphasized the strategic value of kindness in influencing public opinion, noting that Hamas originally began as a charitable organization.

He proposed that Israel could create a well-publicized clinic that guides families worldwide, provides educational and entertaining content about patients and their families, and builds an international charity coalition for Gaza. According to Siminovsky, Israel could manage media relations and public diplomacy from the hospital, producing extensive, well-crafted media content with gratitude toward Israeli organizations. He also suggested the hospital could foster open opposition to Hamas and support rival factions.

Siminovsky likened this approach to tactics used against terrorism globally, describing kindness as a weapon to undermine enemies from within. He referenced Israel's partial use of similar methods during the Syrian civil war, which reportedly benefited Israel in subsequent years. He criticized Israel's current security mindset as overly reliant on military force, warning that such hysteria leads to resource depletion and missed opportunities. Instead, he advocated for a softer strategy of attrition and division, urging Israel to learn from countries like Qatar rather than emulate Russia.

In response, commentator Gadi Taub warned that Siminovsky's views could align him with Avigdor Lieberman and potentially fracture the right-wing bloc in Israeli politics.