Opposition leaders in Israel have expressed significant criticism towards former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett following his recent comments about far-right ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich. Bennett stated that he did not intend to boycott them, even in light of their involvement in government policies that have been the subject of public outrage, particularly following the tragic events of October 7. This has led to a backlash from political figures who see his stance as compromising and unacceptable given the recent political climate.

Notably, prominent opposition figure Gadi Eisenkot condemned Bennett’s remarks, arguing that individuals who held positions of power during the October 7 crisis, especially those in the cabinet including current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, should not be eligible for public office. This suggests growing frustration within the opposition regarding the lack of accountability for those perceived as responsible for significant national security failures.

Meanwhile, Yair Golan, the head of the Democrats party, echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that it was inappropriate to support a government that includes those accountable for the October 7 disaster. This ongoing debate highlights a deep partisan divide in Israeli politics, as opposition factions struggle with how to effectively challenge a government that they accuse of failing to protect the public in critical moments.