Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a powerful speech on Monday, accusing the defense establishment of being naive leftists and resetting the narrative surrounding the deaths of six Israeli hostages. He criticized the defense establishment for their lack of understanding of the diplomatic implications of returning to the Philadelphi Corridor after a hostage deal with Hamas.
Netanyahu argued that only those who supported the failed Oslo Accords would advocate for a quick withdrawal and return to the corridor. By shifting the debate from the hostages to the corridor, Netanyahu positioned himself as a visionary in strategic diplomacy.
In a bold move, Netanyahu attempted to challenge the authority of the IDF, Mossad, Shin Bet, and the Defense Minister on a major security issue. His speech aimed to break through the defense establishment’s stronghold and lead a philosophical policy debate about the corridor and Oslo.