Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett issued a stark warning to American Jewish leaders, declaring that Turkey has emerged as a significant regional threat comparable to Iran’s influence in the Middle East.
During his address at the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations’ annual leadership gathering, Bennett presented his assessment of shifting regional dynamics following the October 7 attacks and subsequent Gaza conflict.
“At this moment, a new Turkish threat is emerging,” Bennett stated. “Turkey and Qatar have gained influence in Syria, are seeking influence elsewhere and everywhere throughout the region. And from here, I warn, Turkey is the new Iran. Erdogan is sophisticated, dangerous, and he seeks to encircle Israel. We can’t close our eyes again.”
The former prime minister argued that the October 7 attacks exposed fundamental flaws in Israel’s security approach. According to Bennett, the tragedy revealed the failure of a defensive mindset that had dominated Israeli strategy for two decades.
“What collapsed on that Black Shabbat was not only the physical defenses on the Gaza border,” he explained, “but a strategic concept built on the illusion that defense alone will protect us.”
Bennett criticized previous Israeli administrations for relying too heavily on what he termed a “containment” strategy, which emphasized barriers and deterrence while avoiding decisive military action.
“Far too long, too many Israeli leaders believed that we only need to buy time and buy quiet,” Bennett said. “We have to replace the organizing principle of the past 20 years of containment with an organizing principle of initiative.”
This new approach, he argued, would prevent hostile forces from establishing positions near Israeli borders and would involve proactive operations throughout the region.
“We will not permit Hamas to rebuild rocket launchers or weapon factories minutes from our communities. Never again,” he declared. “We won’t hesitate to operate throughout the Middle East to pursue enemies, to hunt them down, and to secure a future.”
Regarding Iran, Bennett acknowledged that while recent Israeli-American military operations had significantly damaged Tehran’s nuclear capabilities, the regime remained a threat. He described Iran as being at its weakest point since the Islamic Revolution, comparing the situation to the Soviet Union’s final years.
“This is the closest moment in the history of this regime that we’re close to collapse,” Bennett observed. “Our strategy in ten seconds is do everything to accelerate the fall of this horrible regime, and in the meantime, ensure that they don’t acquire a nuclear weapon.”
However, Bennett devoted considerable attention to what he characterized as Turkey’s growing regional ambitions. He accused Ankara and Doha of working together to expand their influence across Syria and Gaza while attempting to create a hostile Sunni coalition.
“Turkey and Qatar are nourishing the Islamic Brotherhood monster that is growing,” he claimed. “Turkey is trying to flip Saudi Arabia against us and establish a hostile Sunni axis with nuclear Pakistan.”
Bennett also criticized Israel’s current diplomatic posture, arguing that while the military had demonstrated effectiveness across multiple theaters, diplomatic efforts had become too passive.
The former leader offered a blunt assessment of international relations, suggesting that Israel should abandon hopes of widespread global approval.
“They’re not going to love us,” he said. “The aspiration that the world will love Israel—it’s not going to happen. What we need is that our enemies fear us, our friends respect us, and everyone needs us.”
Perhaps most significantly, Bennett warned that internal Israeli divisions posed an even greater danger than external threats, referencing historical examples of Jewish sovereignty lost due to civil conflict.
“Our internal divisions here in Israel concern me even more,” he stated. “An Israel divided against itself will not stand.”
Bennett emphasized the interconnected relationship between Israel and Jewish communities worldwide, telling the audience that global Jewish strength depends on Israeli security, while Israeli strength relies on worldwide Jewish support.
“Am Yisrael (the people of Israel) worldwide depends on a strong state of Israel, and a strong state of Israel depends on a strong Am Yisrael,” he explained. “Israel belongs to every Jew in the world. Each of you holds a share in Israel.”
The former prime minister concluded his remarks by signaling his political ambitions for Israel’s future leadership.
“I intend to lead Israel into its next strong, beautiful, hopeful future,” he announced, clearly positioning himself as both a critic of current policies and a potential future leader.
