Benjamin Netanyahu 'is a terrible man, a serial liar': Israeli media

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli media
20 Feb 2025 15:21
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Ynet's Ben Caspit details Netanyahu's contradictive speech and his constant redirection of blame when a failure arises, particularly amid the prisoner-captive exchanges.

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Relatives and supporters of Israeli captives stuck a sticker with the face of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on a road in which they poured red liquid, symbolizing blood, on February 17, 2025. (AP)

"The Prime Minister of Israel is a terrible person. There's no choice but to say it outright. A truly awful man," Israeli newspaper Maariv's Ben Caspit said in the wake of Benjamin Netanyahu's remarks on the seventh batch of exchange of the captive agreement between "Israel" and Hamas.

On Thursday, Palestinian Resistance factions handed over the bodies of four captives in Bani Suheila, east of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, to the International Red Cross.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu published a video recording on the eve of the exchange, as the Israeli occupation readied to receive the bodies of four captives, killed throughout the war on Gaza as a result of relentless and indiscriminate Israeli bombardment, coining Thursday "a turbulent day, a day of grief."

His top officials, including Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar alongside other security officials, whom Caspit blasted as "Netanyahu's attack dogs", also issued a statement crediting the exchange to Netanyahu, claiming he was able to change the negotiation team's composition, altering the dynamics of the negotiation. The allegations were relayed to an "informed source", which Caspit affirms is, in fact, Benjamin Netanyahu himself.

"This is what he chose to say, publish, and disseminate on the eve of one of the saddest days we have known here. And we have known many sad days over the past year and a half—directly due to the man who, since the October 7 massacre, has done nothing but evade blame, smear others, divide, incite, sow discord, and defame anyone or anything that might stand in his way while he flees from accountability," he added.

Caspit adds that contrary to Netanyahu’s assertions, Hamas had proposed merging two phases of the captive release weeks ago, well before the prime minister reshuffled the negotiation team. The move had nothing to do with Netanyahu’s decision to sideline Mossad chief Dedi Barnea and Shin Bet head Ronen Bar. Yet, in his version of events, the breakthrough was entirely his doing, the Israeli journalist added.

'Which Netanyahu should the public believe?'

Further slamming the prime minister, Caspit expanded on Netanyahu's aversion to holding accountability, saying that when military operations appear successful, he takes the spotlight—boasting about Hamas’s supposed defeat, Hezbollah’s retreat, and the reported targeting of senior militant leaders. But when setbacks arise, he quickly redirects blame, scapegoating military and intelligence officials.

"But that's Netanyahu for you. When there's credit to be claimed, it's his. When there's failure, it's someone else's," the journalist said.

Last week, Netanyahu stood before the Knesset, claiming that the captive deal was his idea, forced upon Hamas through pressure and US support. However, Netanyahu recently suggested the previous negotiation efforts were ineffective, dismissing them as mere "give and take." The inconsistency raises the question: "Which Netanyahu should the public believe?" Caspit then states.

Security officials, appointed by Netanyahu himself, have also been on the receiving end of his attacks. According to Caspit, he dictated their mandate, controlled every phase of the negotiations, and personally approved each clause of the deal. And yet, now that political expediency demands it, he is more than willing to disown their efforts.

As Netanyahu maneuvers to shape the narrative, the reality remains unchanged: lives are still at stake, and captives remain in captivity. If the prime minister is truly concerned with "give and take," perhaps he should focus less on political survival and more on those still awaiting rescue, Caspit concluded.