A top Israeli diplomatic figure voiced fierce criticism Monday over Naftali Bennett’s conduct during his trip to Washington, DC, accusing the former prime minister of undermining the Israeli government on the world stage.
“The man goes around the US and attacks the government’s policies; there’s never been such a thing,” the official told Arutz Sheva, expressing outrage at Bennett’s remarks.
“This is a breach of all boundaries, a tearing apart of every basic value of statesmanship and loyalty,” he continued. “For decades, an Israeli politician abroad would enlist to advocate for Israel and never attack it, no matter what his views. This is another bad precedent set by Naftali Bennett.”
The official went on to say that if Bennett’s visit devolves into a campaign of public criticism against Israel during wartime, it demonstrates “another proof that the man has no limits or boundaries in his flawed political methods.”
Bennett’s associates did not remain silent. They fired back with a scathing statement of their own: “It would be best if the ‘diplomatic official’ resigns and goes home immediately, after he built up Hamas for years with hundreds of millions of dollars of cash in suitcases and brought on the October 7th Massacre, and continues to give the enemy thousands of tons of supplies. Former Prime Minister and Defense Minister Naftali Bennett will continue to defend the soldiers of the IDF and the State of Israel.”
Earlier in the day, Bennett took to social media to deliver a harsh critique of the current administration’s handling of Israel’s global standing. “Washington DC, Israel’s standing is in freefall. I am fighting here against a tsunami of accusations, Hamas and the UN’s starvation campaign, fake images, and lies against Israel. The Israeli government has collapsed on the diplomatic front and in public relations, just as it collapsed during the October 7 massacre.”
He also accused several cabinet ministers of contributing to Israel’s isolation by making incendiary remarks for domestic political gain. “Government ministers are causing us terrible damage with a series of foolish statements quoted here (‘We will erase Gaza,’ ‘Nuke Gaza’) in an attempt to gain political profit among their base. The dragging out of the war in Gaza, as if we have all the time in the world, is inflicting heavy damage on us. How is it that almost two years after the October 7 massacre, Hamas is still able to dictate terms to us?! I am here in a series of meetings, including with about 1,000 students from across the US, rallying them to the cause. I will continue to fight for Israel with all my strength, but the conclusion is clear: the only way we will get out of this pit is to replace this destructive government as quickly as possible and embark on a new path.”
