Security for Minister of the Economy Naftali Bennett has been increased following a report in the weekend Yediot Achronot newspaper questioning Bennett’s role as an IDF officer during Operation Grapes of Wrath in Lebanon 18 years ago and the death of 102 civilians.

The story begins with Bennett speaking out against the political left, which is demanding an investigation into the actions of Givati Brigade soldiers operating in Operating Protective Edge in Gaza this past summer when they “fired indiscriminately” following the Hamas abduction of 2nd Lt. Hadar Goldin H”YD. The left accuses the Givati soldiers of firing without consideration for the lives of innocent Gazans in the area.

The soldiers opened fire in a massive offensive as they broke the ceasefire in response to assault against them and then went into the Hamas tunnel in an effort to get Goldin back. The reported massive gunfire has the left-wing troubled and they are calling for a criminal investigation against Givati commander Colonel Ofir Winter and his troops.

Bennett used his Facebook page to express his anger, and it appears the left-wing has been digging for dirt on the minister, a former officer in the elite Sayeret Matkal reconnaissance unit of the IDF to fire back at him for his angry response in defense of Winter and the Givati soldiers.

The leftists have now turned their guns at Bennett, ahead of elections, alleging he is responsible for the deaths of 102 civilians in Kfar Kana in Lebanon where he was a company commander for the elite Maglan Unit in 1996. A misguided shell led to the deaths, which the left is trying to not connect to Bennett.

The Yediot report has led to harsh responses on Islamic and Arabic social media sites, prompting the decision to increase security for Bennett.

Bennett defends the actions of Givati soldiers in Protective Edge

“G” from Maglan says the accusations against Bennett are nonsense

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)