Bennett: Israel not winning on any front, warns army under strain

Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has accused the government of putting political considerations ahead of national security, amid rising worries over the growing pressure on the military.

His comments came after Israel’s Chief of Staff, Eyal Zamir, warned the cabinet that the army could face collapse due to the heavy operational burden and a worsening manpower shortage.

In an interview with Channel 12, Bennett said: “There is a political class here that is preventing the Israeli army from winning.” He added that the current leadership “does not know how to win anywhere — not in Gaza, not in Lebanon, and not in Iran.”

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Bennett said the military is short of around 20,000 soldiers. He noted that about 100,000 ultra-Orthodox Jewish men of conscription age are currently fit for service, arguing that recruiting even a fifth of them would solve the problem. However, he said the government prioritises politics above all else, which has led to the current situation.

He added: “We have created a Haredi state here,” referring to the growing influence of the ultra-Orthodox community. Bennett called for urgent action to address the issue, including integrating Haredi Jews into the army, the labour market and the education system, as well as linking government benefits to work and service.

“Anyone who does not work should not receive a shekel, and anyone who does not serve should not receive a shekel,” he said.

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