Bennett Blames Netanyahu for October 7 and Rules Out Future Coalition
Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett blamed Benjamin Netanyahu for the October 7 massacre, vowed not to join his government, and promised strict term limits and an uncompromising stance against anti-Zionist ultra-Orthodox parties.
Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, holding him personally responsible for the October 7 massacre, ruling out serving under him in any future government, and vowing to crack down on Jewish extremist violence.
Speaking in an interview with 103FM, Bennett argued that Netanyahu's responsibility extends far beyond a mere ministerial role. "He bears direct and personal responsibility for October 7 due to his specific decisions," Bennett stated, adding that for 14 years Netanyahu "fattened Hamas" and turned a small terror group into a monster.
Hard Lines on Ultra-Orthodox Parties and Term Limits
Bennett also drew a firm red line regarding future coalition partners, declaring that his faction will not sit with anti-Zionist ultra-Orthodox parties in the next government. He warned that current demographic and societal trends place an unsustainable burden on working and serving Israelis.
"The working public, I, you, the listeners, we carry 15 kilograms of stones every day," Bennett said. "In a few years there will be four million ultra-Orthodox and we are committing suicide. I will not sit with an anti-Zionist ultra-Orthodox party in the next government under any circumstances."
Bennett additionally announced a major policy shift regarding leadership tenure, pledging to introduce an eight-year term limit for prime ministers if he returns to power. "Every person who serves too long in office starts to think in unreasonable psychological worlds that he is the Messiah," he noted.
Combating Jewish Extremism in the West Bank
Addressing security issues in the West Bank, Bennett strongly condemned nationalist violence by Jewish extremists, describing it as a severe threat to the settlement enterprise itself. He criticized ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich for failing to effectively combat the phenomenon.
"We must eradicate Jewish terror, it does not reflect the overwhelming majority of West Bank settlers," Bennett emphasized. "It is the biggest threat, it is immoral, it is unJewish, and it causes crazy damage globally. I will deploy all tools, including administrative measures, to shut this down."
