Bennett calls for force-based doctrine, signals challenge to Netanyahu

Former 'Israeli' Prime Minister, Naftali Bennett, said the current stage requires redefining 'Israel’s' standing around three pillars: that its enemies fear it, its friends respect it, and that others see it as indispensable.

Speaking at a conference of American Jewish organizations, Bennett argued that efforts over 3,000 years to win global affection had failed, asserting that strength and deterrence are the only viable path to achieving strategic goals.

Attack on current leadership

Bennett launched a sharp attack on the current government, saying he would not allow the leadership that presided over what he described as “the greatest disaster in the history of the state” to remain in power.

According to Channel 14, Bennett said the current leadership has divided society more than ever and signaled his intention to return to office, in a direct political challenge to Benjamin Netanyahu.

Netanyahu rejects inquiry

The remarks come as Netanyahu continues to reject calls to establish a formal commission of inquiry into the events of October 7, amid concerns he could face direct blame.

While senior military and security officials have acknowledged responsibility for failures surrounding the attack, Netanyahu has not publicly accepted responsibility.

The statements also come nearly two years after the war in Gaza, described by rights groups as genocidal crimes, which has left around 72,000 Palestinians killed and devastated roughly 90 percent of infrastructure in the Gaza Strip. Reconstruction costs have been estimated at more than $70 billion.