Israel Gantz, chairman of the Binyamin Regional Council and head of the Yesha Council, on Tuesday morning sharply criticized former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's Sunday interview on Kan 11, accusing Bennett of advocating the establishment of a 'terror state' ten minutes from his home in Ra'anana. Gantz warned that the Palestinian Authority maintains a 50,000-man armed force, is corrupt and terror-encouraging, and is led by Iran. He called Bennett's proposal a 'political suicide' that endangers millions of Israelis.
Israel Gantz, the head of the Binyanim Regional Council who also chairs the Yesha Council (the umbrella organization of Israeli local councils in Judea and Samaria), issued a statement early Tuesday morning reacting to remarks made by former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett in a Sunday interview on Channel Kan 11. Gantz accused Bennett of effectively calling for the establishment of a 'terror state' just minutes from his own home in Ra'anana. Gantz argued that the Palestinian Authority already fields an armed force of some 50,000 operatives, describing the PA as a corrupt, Iran-led entity that encourages terrorism. He warned that granting the PA strategic territory in the heart of Israel would be 'political suicide,' risking the lives of millions of Israelis and turning central Israeli cities into the next 'Gaza Envelope.' The statement did not specify which specific proposals by Bennett it referenced, beyond the general accusation. The exchange comes amid a broader political debate over Israel's policy toward the Palestinian Authority, which the Yesha Council and many right-wing politicians view as a hostile entity that must not be allowed to establish a contiguous state in Judea and Samaria.
This morning's broadside continues a pattern: The Zioneer has previously reported criticism by Bennett against the current government's security policy (June 22, 19:47 Jerusalem, Bennett attacks Netanyahu over Lebanon freedom of action), and Bennett's broader criticism of the government's inability to provide security (June 8, 22:06 Jerusalem). However, this new statement originates from a leading settlement figure directly challenging Bennett's latest position, which Gantz portrays as dangerously naive.
- DevelopingIsrael Gantz calls for dismantling PA, abolishing area divisions in response to UK sanctions
- DevelopingBennett: Netanyahu incapable of deciding on Gaza, Lebanon, Iran fronts
- DevelopingBennett: Another four years with this government, we won't have a society
- StrongBennett accuses Netanyahu and Katz of lying about IDF freedom of action in Lebanon
Source and signal
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