Bennett warns Israel’s image is worsening among US students

Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has acknowledged a growing negative perception of Israel among young people in the United States.

Bennett said Israel is increasingly associated with the word “genocide” among American university students. He made the remarks during an interview on the Itai Segal Podcast on the All-in platform.

He said Israel had become a negative brand among parts of the American public. According to Bennett, the change is particularly visible among younger Americans.

Bennett compared the development with the way people commonly associate countries with familiar images or ideas. He said Israel is now linked by some American students to accusations of killing civilians.

The former premier rejected such a perception. However, he acknowledged that the negative image had become a serious reality for Israel.

Bennett also pointed to Qatar’s growing influence in the United States. He argued that Israel had allowed Qatar to expand its presence and influence in American society over several decades.

His comments come as Israel continues to face intense international criticism over its military campaign in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis there.

The conflict has resulted in a large number of Palestinian deaths and widespread destruction across the Gaza Strip. International organisations and rights groups have repeatedly raised concerns about civilian casualties and access to humanitarian aid.

According to Gaza health authorities, more than 73,000 Palestinians have been killed since the Israeli military operation began in October 2023.

The situation has also generated legal and diplomatic pressure on Israeli leaders. The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in 2024 for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Israel rejects the allegations and disputes the court’s jurisdiction.

Separately, an Israeli rabbi has faced renewed criticism after footage emerged in which he appeared to call for Palestinians to be expelled from the occupied West Bank.

The rabbi, Menachem Ben Shahar, reportedly told a group that Arabs who reject Jewish sovereignty should leave the territory.

He also made remarks concerning Palestinian children, according to footage published by Al Jazeera English. The broadcaster reported that Ben Shahar suggested that a child could lose the right to exist if the child’s parents were regarded as enemies.

The exact date and location of the incident were not immediately established.

Israeli media previously reported that police detained and questioned Ben Shahar in October 2025 over allegations involving extremist statements and incitement against Palestinians.

He had also previously made controversial comments about the Palestinian town of Huwara, including a call for it to be destroyed.

The status of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank remains a major international dispute. The international community widely considers the settlements illegal under international law.

In a 2024 advisory opinion, the International Court of Justice said Israel’s continued presence in the occupied Palestinian territory was unlawful and called for it to end as soon as possible.