Israel’s ex-premier Naftali Bennett has accused current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of “criminal negligence” over warnings before the October 7 2023 attack, saying he failed to alert security chiefs, convene the cabinet or prepare the country.
Bennett, who is challenging Netanyahu in the upcoming elections, endorsed a Haaretz report that the premier received a personal warning from United Arab Emirates President Mohamed bin Zayed about Hamas’ plans days before the attack.
In a Hebrew-language post on X, Bennett wrote: “The report this morning stating that Netanyahu was warned ten days before the October 7 massacre about Sinwar’s intentions — true,” referring to then-Hamas leader in Gaza Yahya Sinwar.
“Netanyahu bears personal and direct responsibility for the failure that led to the deaths of thousands of Israelis on his watch.”
Bennett did not explain how he knew the reported warning was genuine.
‘He did not prepare Israel for the attack’
According to the Haaretz investigation, the Emirati leader explicitly warned Netanyahu that Sinwar was planning a major operation against Israel.
Netanyahu’s office denied the report, saying he had neither spoken with the UAE president during the relevant period nor received such a warning, according to the Jerusalem Post.
Bennett said Netanyahu had failed to take basic steps in response to the warnings.
“He did not go to the field, did not warn the heads of the security system, did not prepare Israel for the attack, and did not convene the cabinet,” he wrote.
Instead, Bennett alleged, Netanyahu continued strengthening Hamas by transferring more funds and promising additional permits for Palestinian workers in response to pressure from the group.
Accusing Netanyahu of obstructing an inquiry
He accused the premier of pursuing “the policy of containment and buying temporary quiet through submission to terror”, while dismissing warnings from security chiefs and regional leaders.
“Netanyahu was so captive to his conception that even clear warnings from regional leaders did not budge him from his chair,” Bennett wrote.
He also accused Netanyahu of blocking a state commission of inquiry to avoid exposing his responsibility for the failures surrounding the attack.
“Netanyahu cannot continue to serve in his position for another minute, and he certainly is not capable of fixing it,” Bennett said.
‘In 50 days, all this will change’
Linking his accusations to the upcoming election, he promised a government that would unite Israelis and establish an inquiry.
“In 50 days, all this will change,” he wrote.
Bennett and fellow former prime minister Yair Lapid announced in April that they would contest the election on a joint list called “Together”, led by Bennett.
At the launch, Bennett pledged that his first decision if elected would be to establish an official commission of inquiry into October 7.
He also promised to pursue a “service for all” law and an eight-year limit on the prime minister’s tenure, while saying his government would rest on a “Zionist majority” and would not rely on Arab parties.
Under Israel’s constitutional framework, a prime minister can remain in office without a fixed term limit as long as they are re-elected in successive elections.
