Former National Security Advisor Uzi Arad slammed Prime Minister Netanyahu Wednesday, saying the prime minister’s post-war press conference last night was a study in “marketing”, rather than providing answers to the Israeli public about the war.
Speaking to Army Radio, Arad said Netanyahu’s remarks last night at a joint press conference with Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon were “marketing statements, not real answers for the Israeli public.”
Arad also criticized cabinet ministers who leaked criticism of the prime minister and of Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon during Operation Protective Edge. He said the media leaks harmed Israel’s security and had deterrence.
If there was one positive thing to take away from Operation Protective Edge, Arad said, it was the unity and strength of Israel’s civilian home front.
“The Israeli public should be commended,” Arad said. “They are the ones who provided soldiers and (buried their sons). They are the ones who shouldered the economic cost, who lived with the rockets… and who are incredibly unified.
“The nation is very unified. But there is no unity on the results of the operation,” Arad said.