Benny Gantz — “What the World Gets Wrong About Israel” (New York Times op-ed), 24 September 2025

Since Oct. 7, 2023, from my position both in Israel's war cabinet and in the opposition, I have watched how some in the West have misinterpreted Israel's actions in prosecuting its war against Hamas. For Israelis, that day was not another round in a yearslong conflict. It was a strategic rupture — and a reminder of what may happen when terror on our doorstep is underestimated.

Too often, Western leaders view our policies in this war not through the lens of national security, but through the prism of individuals — and, in particular, Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. […] This view is mistaken and counterproductive to global stability, regional normalization and Israel's own security.

There are deep political divisions and disagreements in Israel. I myself have been a vocal critic of Mr. Netanyahu. But the nation's core security interests are not partisan property. […] Opposition to the recognition of Palestinian statehood stands at the heart of that consensus. Any path forward for broader Palestinian civil autonomy must first incorporate a proven long-term track record of accountable governance, comprehensive de-radicalization reforms and a successful crackdown on terror elements targeting Israelis.

[…] The truth is that international recognition of Palestinian statehood under current conditions is not a rejection of Mr. Netanyahu. It is a rejection of Israel's bipartisan security consensus.

[…] After Oct. 7, it was not politics that shaped Israel's military response. It was necessity. Despite Mr. Netanyahu's hesitation, I pressed for an immediate ground operation in Gaza. […] I called for a powerful response on Iranian soil following the first Iranian attack on April 13, 2024 […]. And still today, I fully support retaining an Israeli military presence in Gaza long term to prevent Hamas from ever regrouping […]. The war could end tomorrow if the hostages were returned and Hamas relinquished its weapons and power.

On the eastern front, Israel must prepare to assume formal control over the strategic Jordan Valley in the West Bank […]. These are not political positions. They are, in my view, security requirements to prevent the next Oct. 7.

Israel's security is solely an Israeli responsibility, but not only an Israeli concern. […] Israel's security goals, including deterring Iran's regional aspirations and damaging its nuclear program, prevent the expansion of radical fundamentalist ideology in the region […].