Bennett, Gantz, and Lapid Must Be Held Accountable

The recent revelations that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) had in their possession a detailed Hamas battle plan well before the October 7 attack, yet neither acted on it nor shared it with key political and military leaders, are both shocking and deeply troubling. This failure, which cost Israel dearly in lives, security, resources, and international standing, underscores the critical need for accountability at the highest levels of leadership.

Unit 8200, Israel’s elite intelligence unit, obtained a 40-page document in April 2022, codenamed “Jericho Walls.” This document, written by Hamas, meticulously outlined the exact tactics they would eventually use: a massive rocket barrage, drone strikes to disable Israeli defenses, and a multi-pronged invasion involving paragliders, motorcycles, and ground forces. The plan was chillingly precise, yet IDF intelligence chiefs dismissed it, convinced that Hamas either could not or would not carry out such an audacious operation. This dismissal was not just a tactical error; it was a failure of imagination, a refusal to acknowledge the evolving capabilities and ambitions of Hamas.

CNN’s Christiane Amanpour interviews Prime Minister Naftali Bennett on April 20, 2022. (Screen capture: YouTube)

Even more alarming is the fact that this intelligence was reportedly not shared with top military and political leaders, including then-Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, Defense Minister Benny Gantz, and IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi. These leaders, entrusted with the safety and security of the nation, were left in the dark, with devastating consequences. The breakdown in communication within the IDF and between the IDF and Israel’s political leadership represents a catastrophic failure that demands accountability. [It’s worth looking back at news coverage to remember the issues that captured the attention of the Bennett-Gantz-Lapid-Liberman government at the time.]

File: Foreign Minister Yair Lapid (third from L) meets with a US delegation that includes Ambassador to Israel Tom Nides (4th from right), Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Yael Lempert (third from right) and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Israeli and Palestinian Affais Hady Amr (2nd from right) in Tel Aviv, on April 21, 2022. (David Azoulay/US Embassy in Israel)

If these reports are accurate, they suggest that the most significant leadership failure in Israel’s history occurred during the tenure of Bennett, Gantz, and Yair Lapid. The implications of such a failure are profound and demand an equally profound response. The Israeli public, whose trust in their government and military is rooted in the expectation of security, deserves to know why this intelligence was ignored and why critical information was withheld from those who could have acted to prevent the tragedy of October 7.

Finance Minister Avigdor Liberman speaks during a Yisrael Beytenu faction meeting at the Knesset. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)

This is not just a matter of operational oversight; it is a catastrophic breakdown in leadership that cannot be swept under the rug. Accountability must extend beyond the IDF intelligence officers who failed to escalate the warning. The political and military leadership in place at the time these reports were received—Naftali Bennett as Prime Minister, Benny Gantz as Defense Minister, and Yair Lapid who later took over as Prime Minister—must be held responsible for the lapses in judgment and oversight. This includes those directly involved in the chain of command and those ultimately responsible for ensuring that Israel’s defenses were prepared for any and all threats.

For too long, a culture of impunity in Israel’s upper echelons has allowed serious mistakes to go unpunished, often at the expense of ordinary citizens. This must change. Holding leaders accountable is not about assigning blame for political gain; it is about ensuring that such a grave error never happens again. It is about restoring faith in the institutions that are supposed to protect the people of Israel and ensuring that future leaders are acutely aware that their decisions—or indecisions—have life-and-death consequences.

In the wake of this failure, a full and transparent investigation must be conducted, with findings made public. Those found responsible for the lapses should face appropriate consequences, including resignations, dismissals, and being prohibited from ever again serving in positions of public trust. Only then can Israel begin to rebuild the trust that has been shattered.

As an American Jew, I stand in solidarity with the people of Israel in their grief and outrage. The events leading up to October 7 are a painful reminder of what happens when leaders fail to protect their citizens. It is time for those who failed us—Naftali Bennett, Benny Gantz, Yair Lapid, and the key military leaders involved—to be held to account, not just to bring justice for those who suffered but to ensure the security and future of the Jewish state.