‘Why Won’t You Take Responsibility Now?’ CNN’s Dana Bash Confronts Netanyahu on Failure to Prevent Oct. 7 Attack

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was pressed by CNN’s Dana Bash on why he hasn’t publicly accepted the responsibility for the national security failure that allowed Hamas’ October 7th attack to happen.

As Netanyahu joined State of the Union to talk about Israel’s counteroffensives and steps to minimize civilian deaths in Gaza, Bash turned to the subject of Netanyahu’s “personal responsibility” in not preventing Hamas’ deadly first strike. Netanyahu’s leadership in Israel has come under significant criticism since the war’s outbreak, with recurring questions of whether he intends to resign over his crumbling political support.

Bash noted that Netanyahu has spoken about deciding the blame after the war is over, but she challenged him with “Why won’t you take responsibility now?”

“I’ve already addressed that many times. And I said this whole question will be addressed after the war.” Netanyahu said. This prompted Bash to ask again “Why not now?

“Did people ask Franklin Roosevelt after Pearl Harbor that question? Did people ask George Bush after the surprise attack [of September 11th]?”

“I think those questions were asked,” Bash responded while Netanyahu continued to say these matters would be dealt with later.

“Right now, what we have to do is unite the country for one purpose, one purpose alone, and that is to achieve victory,” he said.

“And to Israelis who are disappointed that you still won’t take responsibility, you say… ?” Bash asked.

Watch Netanyahu’s answer above via CNN.