Netanyahu and October 7 Fallout
Netanyahu’s Leadership Under Scrutiny Following Catastrophic October 7 Attacks
Jerusalem, Israel – The surprise and devastating attack by Hamas on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, has cast a long and critical shadow over the leadership of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
In the immediate aftermath of the assault, a visibly shaken Netanyahu declared that Israel was “at war” and vowed to exact an “unprecedented price” from Hamas. He announced two primary objectives: the complete elimination of Hamas’s military and governmental capabilities and the return of all hostages.
However, as the initial shock has given way to a prolonged and grueling war in Gaza, questions surrounding the intelligence and operational failures that allowed the October 7 attack to occur have intensified. A civilian commission of inquiry, established to investigate the catastrophic events, has placed direct responsibility on Prime Minister Netanyahu for the failures leading up to the attack.
Parallel to the civilian probe, the Israeli military has conducted its own investigation, acknowledging a “complete failure” to anticipate and thwart the Hamas assault.
The political and public fallout for Netanyahu has been substantial. His approval ratings have plummeted, and he has faced widespread protests demanding his resignation and calling for new elections. The families of the hostages have been a particularly vocal and potent force, holding regular demonstrations to pressure the government to secure the release of their loved ones. Recent images of emaciated hostages have further fueled public anger and increased the urgency for a resolution.
Internationally, Netanyahu’s government has faced mounting criticism for the scale of the military response in Gaza and the ensuing humanitarian crisis.
Despite the immense pressure, Netanyahu has remained defiant, insisting that he will continue to lead the country until “total victory” is achieved.
–
x.com/haaretzcom/sta
Netanyahu tries to turn the October 7 Defeat and historical lapse of security, which is ultimately his responsibility, into the “Gaza victory”. He does not want the proper State Committee investigation of October 7, because it will reveal Putin’s hand in it. He wants cover-ups and whitewash. Remove Netanyahu from power in the next election!
Netanyahu and the October 7 – GS
AI Overview
The October 7th attacks and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s role, and the aftermath: Intelligence Failures and Warnings: There were significant intelligence failures leading up to the October 7th attacks by Hamas. Warnings about a potential attack were reportedly delivered to Netanyahu and other officials, but were not acted upon effectively. Netanyahu’s office acknowledged that his intelligence officer received a memo detailing suspicious Hamas activity hours before the attacks, but did not pass it on, according to The Times of Israel.
Netanyahu’s Response and Responsibility: Netanyahu has faced criticism for deflecting responsibility for the security failures, blaming intelligence and security chiefs. Public opinion polls indicate a majority of Israelis believe Netanyahu should take responsibility. There have been calls for an independent investigation into the events surrounding October 7th, but Netanyahu has resisted establishing a state commission of inquiry, claiming it would be biased.
Controversies and Allegations: A civilian commission of inquiry concluded that Netanyahu’s “quiet for cash” policy, which involved allowing Qatari money into Gaza, played a role in strengthening Hamas. The New York Times reports that Netanyahu ignored repeated warnings about a potential attack and deflected blame in the immediate aftermath of October 7th. His team reportedly moved to prevent the leak of potentially problematic conversations and altered official records of his earliest calls on that day. An aide to Netanyahu is reportedly being investigated by police over the timing of phone calls Netanyahu received as the attack was unfolding.
Political Implications: The October 7th attacks and their aftermath have significantly impacted Israeli politics, with public dissatisfaction and calls for accountability. Netanyahu’s government is perceived as having failed to protect the populace, shaking the confidence in the state’s ability to safeguard its citizens. The ongoing conflict and Netanyahu’s handling of the situation have led to increased scrutiny of his leadership.
International Response: Many countries condemned the Hamas attacks and supported Israel’s right to self-defense. However, there has been growing international alarm and condemnation of Israel’s military actions in Gaza, particularly concerning civilian casualties and the humanitarian crisis. Amnesty International, for example, concluded that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.
–
AI Mode
Netanyahu and the October 7
Netanyahu and the October 7 attack: Fallout and responsibility
Following the devastating Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has faced intense scrutiny and blame regarding Israel’s preparedness and response.
Key points of contention regarding Netanyahu’s role include:
Policy towards Hamas: Critics point to Netanyahu’s long-standing policy of containing and allowing Qatari funds into Gaza, which some argue enabled Hamas to strengthen and prepare for the attacks.
Ignoring warnings: Reports suggest Netanyahu ignored repeated intelligence warnings about a potential attack, particularly in the months leading up to October 7, according to a New York Times investigation.
Deflection of responsibility: Netanyahu has publicly deflected blame onto military and intelligence officials, claiming he wasn’t sufficiently informed or that security chiefs underestimated Hamas.
Delaying an official inquiry: Netanyahu has resisted establishing a state commission of inquiry into the failures surrounding the attacks, despite public pressure and the creation of an unofficial civilian inquiry.
Impact of judicial overhaul: Some argue that Netanyahu’s controversial judicial overhaul plan exacerbated divisions within Israeli society and weakened the military, potentially contributing to the perceived vulnerability that emboldened Hamas.
Responses and counterpoints:
Netanyahu acknowledges some responsibility: While initially deflecting blame, Netanyahu has acknowledged bearing some responsibility for the intelligence failures, according to ABC News.
Blaming security chiefs: Netanyahu’s office has stated that his intelligence officer received an alert hours before the attack but didn’t pass it on, implying a failure within the security establishment.
Shin Bet and military investigations: Investigations by Israel’s internal security agency (Shin Bet) and the military have acknowledged their own failures in anticipating the attack but also pointed to government policies as contributing factors.
Supporting an “objective” inquiry: Netanyahu has expressed support for an “objective” commission of inquiry while opposing what he terms a “biased” or “political” investigation.
Overall:
The October 7 attack remains a deeply sensitive and impactful event in Israel, with ongoing debates about accountability and the roles of various actors, including Prime Minister Netanyahu. Public opinion polls indicate that a significant majority of Israelis believe Netanyahu should take responsibility for the failures surrounding the attack. The long-term political ramifications for Netanyahu and Israel are still unfolding.
AI responses may include mistakes. Learn more
What were the main findings of the Shin Bet investigation regarding Netanyahu’s policies and actions before Oct 7?
What warnings did Netanyahu ignore before October 7th?
What are the main criticisms against a state commission of inquiry into the October 7 attacks?
Views