Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett acknowledged on Tuesday that Israel had smuggled Starlink internet receivers into Iran to assist anti-government protesters, but criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government for failing to follow through on the initiative.
Bennett's Admission at Jerusalem Summit
Speaking at the JNS International Policy Summit in Jerusalem, Bennett said he initiated a process of acquiring and smuggling tens of thousands of Starlink receivers into Iran. These devices, owned by Elon Musk's SpaceX, provide satellite internet connections and were intended to help protesters coordinate and ultimately topple the Iranian government.
"Unfortunately, the current incompetent Israeli government stopped doing that," Bennett stated. "And when the protest happened, that infrastructure was not there."
Iran's Accusations and Starlink's Status
Iran has previously accused Israel and the United States of smuggling Starlink devices to undermine its security. Starlink is not licensed to operate in Iran, but Musk has previously said the service is active there. Iranian authorities have shut down public internet access during periods of unrest, including during deadly nationwide protests in January and throughout the US and Israeli war with Iran that began at the end of February. Reuters has reported that some Iranians turned to Starlink during internet blackouts.
Political Context and Future Plans
Bennett, who served as prime minister from 2021 to 2022, is now a right-wing opposition leader vying to replace Netanyahu in an election due by October. He said that if returned to office, he would work to undermine Iran's government with the aim of toppling it, including measures short of direct military attacks such as economic and industrial sabotage.
Netanyahu's office did not immediately respond to questions on Bennett's remarks, and SpaceX was not available for comment outside US business hours.
