"Netanyahu can't Win; I Will Finish the Job in Iran"

Naftali Bennett is no longer waiting in the wings. In a defiant interview published today in Maariv, the leader of the "Bennett 2026" party positioned himself as the only leader capable of translating Israel’s military might into a definitive strategic victory. His message to the current administration was clear: tactical gains are useless without a "knockout" blow.

The Iran Strategy: "Dismantlement or Failure"

With the conflict with Tehran reaching a fever pitch, Bennett set a high bar for the next government. He argued that anything less than total victory is a waste of Israeli resources and lives.

"The State of Israel has three non-negotiable goals: the permanent dismantlement of the nuclear program, the permanent dismantlement of the ballistic missile program, and the permanent dismantlement of regional Iranian terror," Bennett stated. "If we meet these, it is a success. If not, it is yet another failure. Unfortunately, looking at all fronts, it seems this government and Netanyahu simply do not know how to win."

Bennett warned that if the current leadership fails to secure these goals, he is ready to take the reins: "If this government won't do the work, I will."

The "Security Trap" in Gaza and Lebanon

Bennett’s most stinging criticism was reserved for the handling of the immediate borders. Despite months of fighting, he claims the political leadership has allowed the enemy to reconstitute.

Hamas: "Today, Hamas still has 30,000 Nukhba fighters. Every day, the Netanyahu government allows supply trucks to pass into their hands, they are only getting stronger."

Hezbollah: "In Lebanon, Hezbollah has recovered and is raining missiles down on us."

The root cause, according to Bennett, is a refusal to put the state above political survival. "They aren't giving the IDF the tools to win because they are putting politics first," he charged.

The Draft: Ending the "State Within a State"

Addressing the explosive issue of Haredi enlistment, Bennett bypassed the need for new legislation, calling instead for the strict application of the existing Defense Service Law. His plan focuses on "financial oxygen" rather than force.

"I will not give a single shekel to a school that teaches its students to avoid service," Bennett declared. "They will learn math, English, and Zionism alongside Gemara. We will stop the transfer of funds to the 'Haredi state' within the State of Israel. They will work, they will produce, and they will pay taxes like the rest of us."

The 2026 Vision and the "Netanyahu Pardon"

While Bennett insists his security positions are firmly on the Right, opposing a Palestinian state and land concessions, he is branding his movement as a "cross-bloc ruling party" designed to unify Zionists from both sides of the aisle.

Regarding the political future of Benjamin Netanyahu, Bennett offered a pragmatic, if controversial, exit ramp. "I don't want to see Netanyahu in an orange prisoner's uniform," he admitted. "I support an arrangement that includes his retirement from political life in exchange for a pardon. Let him go his way, so we can finally begin the work of rebuilding Israel."

Bennett’s closing call to the public was one of urgency: "Hold your heads high. People think it’s impossible to change course. I’m telling you, it is possible. From day one, we will rebuild this country at a pace you’ve never seen."