Bennett: "As PM, I Will Declare Qatar an Enemy State"
Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett spoke at the National Security Conference organized by ynet and "Yedioth Ahronoth" in collaboration with the INSS.
Former Prime Minister and Chairman of the "Bejachad" party, Naftali Bennett, stated on Monday at the National Security Conference organized by ynet and "Yedioth Ahronoth" in collaboration with the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) that Israel must act to accelerate the fall of the Iranian regime and halt Tehran's nuclear program. He declared that if he returns to the premiership, he will immediately designate Qatar as an enemy state.
"I was exposed to intelligence that they funded the Revolutionary Guards," he said, adding that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is also aware of this information.
Regarding political alliances, Bennett identified Gadi Eisenkot and Avigdor Lieberman as natural partners. He suggested that members of the Likud party could also join a future coalition if they accept its core guidelines. When asked if Benjamin Netanyahu could be part of it, Bennett replied briefly: "No."
Bennett emphasized that his primary goal is to replace the government rather than secure a personal position. He also reaffirmed his commitment to the "Octopus Doctrine," which he has been promoting since 2017.
"The concept is to understand that most security problems in the Middle East stem from the head of the octopus sitting in Tehran, which operates its arms: Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, and the Houthis in Yemen," he explained.
According to Bennett, Israel has erred for decades by focusing on confrontations with Iran's proxies instead of acting directly against the regime itself. Currently, Bennett faces a significant political challenge; since merging with Yair Lapid to form "Bejachad," his poll numbers have declined. Meanwhile, Gadi Eisenkot's "Yashar!" party is gaining momentum, surpassing "Bejachad" in several recent polls.
