Defense Minister Naftali Bennett has been getting significant mileage out of Gaza. As minister of economy and trade, and subsequently as minister of education, the leader of the New Right party spoke and tweeted extensively about Israeli policy on the Gaza Strip. In 2018, Bennett repeatedly accused then-Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman of “surrender to Hamas” and led a militant campaign from the political right against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Gaza policies. He repeatedly described the government’s Gaza policy as “hesitant” and “weak,” claiming Israel was allowing Hamas to enhance its capabilities. He warned that Israel would find itself facing a dangerous new Hezbollah within three years, this one on its southern border threatening the nearby town of Ashkelon.
“Anyone who gives in and pays protection money,” Bennett declared angrily, “will bring war upon us. Hamas should be scared of hurting us, not benefitting.” He urged Netanyahu to do something. If your defense minister is unable to do what needs to be done, replace him and appoint someone who can, he told Netanyahu after Liberman resigned his post in November 2018.
