PNN – The release of news of the cyber-intrusion into the phone of former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett is not simply a security incident, but rather, from the perspective of observers, a sign of a deep weakness in the regime’s security structure.
The release of news about the cyber-intrusion into the cell phone of former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett is not just a limited security incident or a high-profile hacking operation; rather, it is an event that, in the eyes of many observers, reveals a deeper reality in Israel’s security structure. The importance of this issue is not simply because of Bennett’s political position, but also because of the consequences this influence has had for the credibility of the Israeli security apparatus, especially the Shin Bet. The nervous reactions, cautious denials, and alarmist analyses of the Hebrew-language media show that this case has become more of a psychological security crisis than a news story.
The Zionist media narrative
Despite political and factional differences, Israeli media outlets have reached a kind of unwritten consensus in dealing with this case; a consensus based on which the principle of cyber infiltration is considered almost certain. Israel’s Channel 12, Channel 7, and the newspaper Maariv have each addressed the hacking of Naftali Bennett’s phone using different language, with some even claiming that the operation was carried out by “hackers linked to Iran.” Such claims can be analyzed within the framework of a war of narratives and reflect, more than reliance on publicly available evidence, the prevailing security mindset of Israeli media. Nevertheless, what matters is not the alleged origin of the attack, but the implicit acknowledgment of a security failure at a very high level.
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Naftali Bennett, a figure who symbolized security
During his time as prime minister, Naftali Bennett consistently sought to project an image of security strength and decisiveness in the face of regional threats. He presented himself as a representative of a generation of Israeli politicians who speak the language of “hard security” and emphasize Israel’s intelligence and military capabilities. Therefore, the hacking of the mobile phone of such a figure delivers a double blow to Israel’s official narrative of security superiority. This incident has not only undermined Bennett’s personal credibility, but has also cast serious doubt on the image of the invulnerability of Israel’s security structure that he and his allies sought to construct.
Shin Bet at the center of the accusation
The analysis by Avi Ashkenazi, the military analyst of the newspaper Maariv, represents a turning point in media coverage of the case. By pointing out that Naftali Bennett is protected by Shin Bet’s Unit 730, he effectively dismissed any attempt at deflection or distancing from responsibility. From Ashkenazi’s perspective, Shin Bet is responsible not only for physical protection, but also for the communications and information security of the figures under its protection. Therefore, the penetration of Bennett’s mobile phone is regarded as a direct failure of this institution. His explicit criticism of the leadership of Shin Bet chief David Zini reflects the depth of concern among Israel’s security elites.
Beyond a single hack; signs of a structural crisis
A significant portion of the analyses published in Zionist media emphasize that this incident should not be viewed as an isolated or exceptional event. From the perspective of these analysts, the penetration of the mobile phone of a former prime minister is merely one manifestation of a broader vulnerability that Israel faces in the cyber-domain. Ashkenazi’s warning that “today Bennett’s phone and tomorrow perhaps Israel’s strategic systems” could be targeted reflects a deep fear of a future in which Israel’s intelligence superiority is no longer guaranteed.
Leaked data and concerns over political consequences
From the viewpoint of Israeli media, the information obtained by the hacker group “Hanzala” is not limited to personal or marginal data. References to internal correspondence, drafts of official letters, and political assessments regarding senior officials are seen as a serious alarm for Israel’s decision-making structure. Even if some of these documents are not verified, they have the potential to create divisions, mistrust, and tension within the political elite. For this reason, some analysts have described this breach not as a purely technical attack, but as a targeted effort to influence Israel’s internal dynamics.
One prominent aspect of this case is its psychological dimension, a point that the hacker group itself has emphasized. In a society like Israel, where security constitutes a major component of collective identity and political legitimacy, the dissemination of news about penetration at the highest levels of power can have profound psychological effects on public opinion. Hebrew-language analysts believe that such operations, even more than technical damage, harm Israel’s deterrence image, and this is precisely the point at which a cyber-threat becomes a strategic threat.
Naftali Bennett’s reaction to the affair has itself become part of the crisis. His claim that his mobile phone is no longer in use and that the matter is under investigation failed to convince the media and public opinion. In the Israeli context, such responses are often interpreted as signs of the absence of a coherent and controlled narrative. At the same time, the hacker group’s announcement that it will release thousands of conversations has exerted additional psychological pressure on Bennett and security institutions, further deepening the ambiguity.