Naftali Bennett
Naftali BennettYonatan Sindel/Flash 90

Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett on Monday evening attacked Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech, in which Netanyahu blamed the previous government for the current wave of terrorism, describing it in an interview with Kan 11 News as "pathetic, as if Yair Netanyahu gave the speech."

"He whines and does not take responsibility," Bennett said of Netanyahu, adding, “I inherited from Netanyahu a State of Israel that was on fire. During my time, together with my friends, I put the State of Israel in the best political position possible. Close friendship with Biden, with the leader of the United Arab Emirates, with [Egyptian President] Al-Sisi, with the leader of Bahrain. They are not prepared to meet Netanyahu. They see Israel today and say, 'What an unfortunate country.'"

In another interview with Channel 12 News, Bennett said, "There was an anti-leadership propaganda speech here, exactly the opposite of what the State of Israel needs at this moment. The State needs a unifying leadership that brings the people together, that does not impose responsibility on others, but takes responsibility even when it is unpleasant."

"Together with my friends, I brought to the citizens of Israel the quietest year ever in the Gaza envelope region. We left Netanyahu with the best political situation in years. He brought Israel to internal chaos and the leaders of the world mostly feel sorry for the State of Israel."

"I was silent for a long time and expected tonight to see a Prime Minister leading the country. Everyone is responsible except him? This is not leadership. The people of Israel deserve good leadership," Bennett concluded.