Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has launched a scathing critique of current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, characterizing his recent response to the State Comptroller as portraying a leader disconnected from events, likening him to the film character Forrest Gump. The assessment, delivered on Sunday evening, comes as Israel continues to grapple with the ongoing conflict in Gaza and faces mounting scrutiny over its handling of the October 7th attacks.
Bennett’s comments center on a document submitted by Netanyahu to the State Comptroller, intended to outline his actions and decisions surrounding the events leading up to the October 7th massacre. According to Bennett, the document depicts Netanyahu not as a decisive leader, but as a passive observer, “someone who stumbles into events by accident and is not truly connected to them.” He accused Netanyahu of presenting himself as a figure controlled by others – former Chiefs of Staff, heads of the Mossad and Shin Bet directors – rather than actively directing the country’s response.
“He is not a leader, but someone who is led. He is not a commander, but a subordinate,” Bennett stated, as reported by Israel National News. He further asserted that the document, intended as a self-defense, ultimately served as a “severe indictment” against Netanyahu’s leadership.
The criticism arrives as Netanyahu’s political future remains uncertain. Former Prime Minister Bennett himself has indicated a desire to reclaim his position, stating in September 2024 that he would apply more pressure on Hamas, specifically by curtailing the flow of resources into the Gaza Strip, to undermine their ability to sustain the conflict. Bennett served as Israel’s prime minister from June 2021 to June 2022, and his current opposition bloc believes it has alternative strategies for resolving the conflict with Hamas that could challenge Netanyahu’s leadership.
Bennett’s remarks follow a period of heightened tension, including the discovery of the bodies of six hostages over the weekend, with concerns remaining for the fate of potentially dozens more still held by Hamas. ABC News reported in September 2024 that Bennett believes a different approach is needed to secure the release of the hostages, advocating for increased pressure on Hamas. When asked about the hostage situation, Bennett suggested that Israel’s current policy of allowing resources into Gaza is inadvertently providing a lifeline to Hamas, enabling them to prolong the conflict.
The timing of Bennett’s attack is also significant, occurring amid speculation about potential political realignments and a possible pardon deal for Netanyahu should he leave office. The Jerusalem Post reported on February 10, 2026, that Bennett affirmed his support for an agreement that would lead to Prime Minister Netanyahu being pardoned by President Isaac Herzog, contingent upon Netanyahu’s resignation from politics.
As of February 13, 2026, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office has not responded to Bennett’s accusations. The State Comptroller’s office has also not released a public statement regarding the submitted document or its assessment of Netanyahu’s response.
