Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said Wednesday that the US-Saudi civilian nuclear agreement is a 'debacle' and that Israel is 'not at the table, but on the table' — meaning the country is the subject of the deal, not a participant. The remarks follow his earlier statement minutes earlier calling the deal a 'strategic failure.'
Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett escalated his criticism of the US-Saudi civilian nuclear agreement on Wednesday, calling the government "incapable of providing for Israel's security" and the deal a "strategic failure." The remarks, made at 16:21 Jerusalem, followed a series of earlier statements in which Bennett warned of a "dangerous loss of control" and said Israel is "not at the table, but on the table."
Bennett's initial warning was reported by Amit Segal (N12) at 16:21 Jerusalem, citing a "dangerous loss of control" for Israel if the agreement proceeds. Shortly after, Yediot Aharonot reported Bennett's statement that Israel is "not at the table, but on the table" and that the deal is a "serious strategic failure." The former prime minister then added that the government is "incapable of providing for Israel's security," according to a report by ynet. All three statements were published by The Zioneer within the same minute, reflecting a rapid escalation of criticism.
Bennett has been a consistent critic of the emerging US-Saudi framework, which reportedly includes civilian nuclear cooperation with Saudi Arabia. As The Zioneer reported on July 8, Bennett told CNN that the Israeli coalition and opposition are united on preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, but he has since argued that the current deal fails to protect Israel's security interests. The Netanyahu government has not yet issued an official response to Bennett's latest remarks.
No additional unverified claims have been reported in Bennett's statements. The government's position on the specifics of the deal remains unclear.
4 developments
- DevelopingBennett: Netanyahu incapable of deciding on Gaza, Lebanon, Iran fronts
- DevelopingBennett: Government incapable of advancing Israel — vows election victory
- DevelopingYair Golan attacks government over Saudi civilian nuclear program, lack of diplomatic moves
- DevelopingNetanyahu attacks Gantz: 'He would not have struck Iran'
Source and signal
- Internal intake