Haaretz: Netanyahu will be remembered as Israel's worst prime minister

Haaretz declares Netanyahu Israel's worst-ever prime minister

Leading Israeli newspaper Haaretz wrote that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will go down in history as the country's worst prime minister due to his failure in the October 7 attack and the economic crisis he caused.

Scraper SystemJuly 26, 2026, 09:33 AM

Haaretz declares Netanyahu Israel's worst-ever prime minister

Leading Israeli newspaper Haaretz published a harsh article on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's political future. The newspaper stated that Netanyahu will be remembered as the 'country's worst prime minister' following the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, and the subsequent economic collapse.

Haaretz stressed that the strong leader image Netanyahu had built over the years was completely shattered on October 7. The newspaper stated that this attack was a major defeat that took place under Netanyahu's watch, and wrote that Israelis are experiencing the most dangerous security period in two generations.

Also touching on economic effects, Haaretz noted that the record increase in the defense budget, tax hikes, cuts to public services, and rising debt burden will have negative consequences lasting for many years. The newspaper used the phrase: 'History will write Netanyahu down as the country's worst prime minister.'

Hamas's military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, launched a comprehensive attack on October 7, 2023, which it named 'Al-Aqsa Flood.' Israel announced that 1,200 people were killed and 5,132 others were wounded in the attacks.

In Israel's retaliatory operations in Gaza, tens of thousands of Palestinians lost their lives. Israeli officials characterize October 7 as 'the greatest intelligence and military failure in the country's history.'

Haaretz's assessment reflects the rise of domestic criticism in Israel directed at Netanyahu's government.