Former Israeli PM Naftali Bennett Says the World Will “Not Love Us” and Calls for Strength Over Approval

Former Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett said at a February 2026 conference that global popular approval of Israel is unlikely, stating, “They’re not going to love us. The aspiration that the world will love Israel — it’s not going to happen.” He made the remarks while discussing Israel’s foreign relations and security posture. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

Bennett added that Israel should prioritize being feared by its adversaries, respected by its friends, and viewed as indispensable, saying, “What we need is that our enemies fear us, our friends respect us, and everyone needs us.” He noted that attempts to seek affection from the world have not yielded the desired results over time. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

Speaking at the same event, Bennett also addressed regional threats and internal Israeli divisions, arguing that these concerns pose significant challenges for the country’s future and national cohesion. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}