Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar claimed Sunday that the October 7 Hamas massacre was conceived during the previous government led by Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, warning that “if a similar government is formed again, the next disaster is on the way.”
Speaking in an interview with 103FM, Zohar said: “It happened on our watch, but it was woven together during the previous watch of Bennett and Lapid as prime ministers. We also know from the intelligence picture that Sinwar planned this the moment he saw the government’s weakness, and unfortunately, it was ultimately carried out during our term. He saw the government’s weakness, and according to all indications, he planned this operation.”
Zohar argued that radical Islam interprets political instability and dependence on Arab parties as weakness. “Radical Islam identifies weakness when you’re unclear toward your enemy. When they saw a government supported by an Islamist party, they identified weakness. If tomorrow morning a similar government is formed that relies on Arab parties, the next October 7 is on the way.”
“When we came to power, struggles began over judicial reform, and a very deep division was created within the nation. It’s possible this was also a significant trigger for Sinwar’s decision to attack Israel.”
During the interview, Zohar also addressed the ongoing investigation involving him in the Histadrut affair and accused law enforcement authorities of disproportionately targeting right-wing politicians.
“The trigger is very easily pulled when it comes to elected officials from the right. My case will be a wonderful test case. If they turn my evidence into something criminal, it will change the democratic structure in Israel. This is a watershed moment for Israeli politics.”
Asked why so many Likud ministers and lawmakers are investigated on corruption allegations, Zohar replied:
“There is an effort to portray us under the slogan ‘corrupt politicians, enough already.’ It worked very well in previous election campaigns in attempts to topple the right-wing government.”
(YWN Israel Desk-Jerusalem)
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3 Responses
Bibi is the longest serving prime minister in Israeli history. He served as prime minister from 1996 to 1999, for twelve years from 2009 to 2021 and for a year before October 7. He has had more influence in the region than any Israeli leader. Bennett served for one year. Supporters can say the massacre wasn’t Bibi’s fault but trying to pin it on Bennett makes them sound desperate and ridiculous.
Miki Zohar, we are not stupid. We are well aware that Qatar funneled millions of dollars to Hamas under Bibi’s watch. We know that Hamas prepared for October 7th while this government was asleep..We are well aware that Bibi and Likud have done all that they can to stop a proper commission of inquiry because they are terrified that the truth will harm them. Politically. We are also aware that the war waged by Bibi has been a collosal failure. Hamas is still in power in Gaza. Hizbullah drones attack IDF soldiers and northern communities and an emboldened Iran had the world economy in a chokehold and has retained its nuclear material and is likely working on plutonium development as well. Bibi has allowed Ben Gvir, Smotrich and assorted Likud loud mouths to ruin any goodwill that Israel had. Israel is weaker than ever due to Bibi.
Hmm – who was it that approved billions of Qatari dollars going to Hamas to preserve”calm”? Who was negotiating with Hamas on increasing the number of work permits for Gazans until just before 7 October? Who was Prime Ministed when Hamas dug most of their tunnels?
There is no question that the Bennett/Lapid government (with the possible exception of Avigdor Lieberman) misjudged Hamas’s intentions – and members of that government have acknowledged this. But there is equally no question that successive Netanyahu governments did exactly the same thing, and over a much longer timeframe – yet, they are doing whatever they can to avoid taking responsibility, including blocking a State Commission of Inquiry, which is the only body empowered by law to gather all relevant evidence, draw conclusions, and make recommendations. It is possible that Netanyahu’s decisions vis-a-vis Gaza and Hamas were reasonable at the times they were made – but in hindsight, they were clearly wrong. Refusing to examine and learn lessons from the past is a recipe for repeating the same mistakes in the future…
an Israeli Yid