Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said Israel had lost its influence in the United States and around the world, adding that the country’s international standing had suffered an unprecedented decline.
Speaking at the Israel Security Concept Conference held in Tel Aviv on Wednesday, Bennett said, “We have lost the United States; we have lost the world.”
Bennett said Israel’s international standing had reached “the most terrible low point” since the state was founded, arguing that this demonstrated the serious decline in the country’s global reputation.
Bennett criticizes Netanyahu government
Bennett accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government of failing to achieve success on multiple fronts. Referring to the government, which he said had failed to win in Gaza and Lebanon, he said, “They do not know how to win anywhere.”
The former prime minister also said there was no effective institution capable of countering influence campaigns that he alleged were targeting Israel.
Emerges as Netanyahu’s rival
Bennett is positioning himself as a prominent rival to Netanyahu ahead of Israel’s parliamentary elections. He has repeatedly criticized the Netanyahu government’s handling of the war in Gaza and Israel’s relations with its allies.
Since October 2023, Israel has faced growing international criticism and increasing isolation over the war in the Gaza Strip. Tens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed as a result of Israeli military attacks, most of the population has been displaced, and large parts of Gaza have suffered extensive destruction.