Netanyahu to TIME on criticism of the war: "I’d rather have bad press than a good obituary"

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu gave an extensive interview to TIME magazine on October 7, the war itself, and the day after, which was published today (Thursday).

Regarding the question of his responsibility for failing to prevent the massacre, he said "Apologize? Of course, of course. I am sorry, deeply, that something like this happened. And you always look back and you say: Could we have done things that would have prevented it?"

Netanyahu also addressed perceptions of Israel's increased isolation, saying that "Being destroyed has bigger implications about Israel’s security. I’d rather have bad press than a good obituary."

Countering arguments that he missed an opportunity to destroy Hamas in 2014, Netanyahu said that given the estimates of very high IDF and civilian casualties, "There was no domestic support for such an action. There was certainly no international support for such an action—and you need both."

Regarding the "day after" in Gaza, he said "I’d like to see a civilian administration run by Gazans, perhaps with the support of regional partners. Demilitarization by Israel, civilian administration by Gaza."