Bennett: Israel ‘in a different place’ since 2006 Lebanon War, despite Hezbollah threat

Judah Ari Gross is The Times of Israel's religions and Diaspora affairs correspondent.

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett says Israel has dramatically improved its military capabilities in the 15 years since the 2006 Second Lebanon War, which was marred by mismanagement and disfunction.

“Today we’re in a different place,” Bennett says at the graduation ceremony for Israel’s National Defense College.

Bennett warns that Lebanon is today “on the verge of — or even I’d say in the midst of — a collapse,” due to the influence of Iran in the country’s affairs.

“We have a joint enemy with the citizens of Lebanon: Iran and Hezbollah,” the premier says, adding that, unlike the Lebanese, Israel has the capabilities to counter them.

“We will not allow any country or terrorist organization to threaten the State of Israel, its security or its sovereignty,” Bennett says.

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