Naftali Bennet, leader of the Telem party, has outlined a broad political and security strategy for the Middle East should his party form the next Israeli government, including plans to dismantle Hezbollah, Hamas, and Iran's nuclear programme.
Bennet said Israel faces a 'political emergency' despite military achievements since October 7, 2023, arguing that battlefield gains have not translated into political victory. He attacked Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over recent remarks, calling them a 'blood libel' and characterizing them as dangerous statements from an Israeli leader.
Bennet said political power must rest on internal strength, and promised his government would launch a 'political emergency' declaration and restore Israel's international standing, which he said has deteriorated over four years.
On Iran, Bennet vowed to pursue what he called an 'octopus strategy' against Tehran and to revive a plan to weaken the Iranian system, which he said he initiated when he served as prime minister before the current government halted it.
Gaza features dismantling Hamas as a central goal. Bennet said his government would expel Qatar and Turkey, which he said support Hamas, and bring in Egypt and other states committed to the group's destruction.
For Lebanon, Bennet outlined a plan to dismantle Hezbollah through economic strangulation and political moves supporting the Lebanese government, while maintaining a security zone until the group is disarmed. He described this as exploiting a 'unique window of time.'
On Syria, Bennet proposed security agreements to distance Turkey and advance Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights. He said a new Middle East is taking shape but Israel remains absent from the political arena and promised to restore it to the centre of the table.
Benbet committed to expanding peace accords and reviving relations with Arab leaders, saying the current situation where most Arab leaders do not answer calls from the Israeli prime minister 'is not inevitable.' He also pledged to ensure Israeli qualitative military superiority in the region and to integrate Israel into major regional economic projects, including the IMEC corridor linking India, the Middle East and Europe.
