Call Me Back with Dan Senor

Episode: How responsible is Netanyahu for Oct 7th? — with Amit Segal (Inside Call Me Back Sneak Peek)
Release Date: December 20, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode presents a candid, behind-the-scenes discussion between host Dan Senor and Israeli political journalist Amit Segal, focusing on deep questions posed by listeners regarding Israel's October 7th disaster and its aftermath. Central themes include the extent of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s responsibility for the October 7th war, the failures and delays of policy and bureaucracy, challenges with Israeli investigative commissions, and the proliferation of leaks in Israeli media. The conversation provides insight into Israeli political culture, the current mood around Israeli leadership, and skepticism over meaningful accountability.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Responsibility for October 7th: Netanyahu in Focus

• Premise: Listener Monica (Upper West Side, Manhattan) asks: “How much responsibility does Netanyahu bear for the October 7th war?”
• Amit Segal’s Position:
  • “More than 50% for three different reasons... Netanyahu bears the lion's share of responsibility. There is no doubt about it.” (00:13 & 20:11)
  • Reasoning:
    1. He was Prime Minister when it happened.
    2. He served almost 13 consecutive years prior, shaping the policy.
    3. Holding elected office means bearing responsibility for national catastrophes.
  • Policy Critique: Netanyahu’s longstanding approach focused on the “head of the octopus” (Iran), neglecting the “arms” (like Hamas in Gaza), considering them “not an existential threat.” This, Segal says, set the stage for overlooking risks from Hamas.
  • Quote:
    • Amit Segal:

    “There is no point in having an elected office if this office doesn't bear any responsibility for the most dramatic event in Israel's history.” (20:49)

2. The Bureaucracy of Gaza Emigration Plans

• Listener Question: Bill from Minneapolis asks what happened to previous plans for Gazan emigration to other countries.
• Dan & Amit’s Take:
  • Despite US-Israeli diplomatic efforts, less than 10,000 Gazans emigrated over 11 months—far from the dramatic numbers envisioned.
  • Main Obstacles:
    • Israeli Bureaucracy: Amit wryly illustrates the cumbersome processes:

      “There are something like 25 government bureaus having to talk to each other via landlines... [plus] the attorney general that thinks it might be against international law.” (06:13)

    • International Reluctance: No other country—Western or Arab—is keen to accept Gazan refugees; even modest deals (like 400 refugees to Eritrea) faltered due to scale and perception.

      “The Gazans are the pariah semi state of the Arab world. No one wants them.” (07:28)

  • Comparison to Afghan Withdrawal: Dan points out that unless the US applies massive pressure, like with Afghan refugees, other nations will not step in. (09:14)

3. Israel’s Inquiry Commission Dilemma

• Listener Question: Mark from Charleston asks whether Israel should have a Yom Kippur-style commission of inquiry after October 7th.
• Segal’s Analysis: The landscape has radically changed:
  • Judicial Politicization: Unlike in the 1970s, the Supreme Court is now viewed as partisan, making it difficult to appoint an independent, respected commission.
  • Political Manipulation: Netanyahu and his government are incentivized to delay meaningful investigations, expecting any inquiry—even a friendly one—will ultimately blame him due to his long tenure.

    “What Netanyahu really wants to earn is time... so the conclusions are to be published [after] Netanyahu will be in retirement and we will be in retirement and our grandchildren will be in retirement.” (11:56)

  • Structural Critique: Amit says past commissions focused too much on apportioning blame and legalism, not on actionable structural changes.

    “The toxic cocktail of overusage of law and legal procedures... created, in my opinion, the collapse of these commissions.” (15:12)

  • Delaying Accountability: Dan highlights, and Amit agrees, that as time drags on, first-hand knowledge and insight evaporate.

    “That is, to me, irresponsible to allow all these people who have firsthand knowledge of what happened... to just kind of fade.” (17:50)
    Amit Segal: “I couldn't agree more. You're absolutely right. It's very sad. And I hope we're not going to omit it in the next war.” (18:18)

  • Possible Solutions: Options like having a conservative judge or the Israeli president appoint commission members have been discussed, but all are politically fraught.

    “Time works against us... These commissions must say, we are not going to send anyone home because everyone went home already, save Netanyahu... We are going to try and implement recommendations that would prevent it from happening again.” (16:32)

4. Leaks: The Lifeblood of Israeli Political Journalism

• Listener Question: Esther from Toronto asks: “Why are leaks so prominent in Israeli media? And how do you know you’re not being played?”
• Segal’s Explanation:
  • Accessibility: Journalists routinely have direct access to all politicians—WhatsApp, texts, calls.
  • Size & Connections: “Israel is a very small country... if I am a journalist... I have many, many friends in reservists, in various places, in the army who know a lot.” (22:44)
  • Example: After Naftali Bennett’s phone was hacked, a third of his messages were with journalists.

    “Only last night, the Naftali Bennett phone was hacked and conversations were leaked... at least one third of them belongs to, you know, text message exchanges with journalists.” (22:04)

  • Result: The proliferation of leaks is so ingrained that it’s “almost unstoppable” and “will continue... It really doesn't matter who's in power. I think it's going to be even more severe.” (23:30)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Amit Segal on Netanyahu’s Accountability:

  “Netanyahu bears the lion's share of responsibility. There is no doubt about it.” (00:13; 20:49)

• Segal on Bureaucracy:

  “Everything in this country is bureaucracy and processes.” (06:00)

• On Political Inquiry Delays:

  “What Netanyahu really wants to earn is time... so once the conclusions are to be published, Netanyahu will be in retirement...” (11:56)

• Dan Senor on Fading Testimony:

  “That is, to me, irresponsible to allow all these people who have firsthand knowledge of what happened... to just kind of fade. That's invaluable information...” (17:50)

• Segal on Leaks:

  “Israel is a very small country... your friends are very important people. And they text you and they tell you things. So it's almost unstoppable.” (22:44)

• Light Moment (family life):
  Amit jokes about managing four children as "economies of scale," showing a touch of warmth amid heavy topics. (03:58)

Important Timestamps

• Responsibility for Oct 7th: 00:13, 20:11–21:22
• Gaza emigration plan failures: 05:46–09:43
• Israeli commission of inquiry analysis: 10:50–18:31
• Leaks and journalism in Israel: 21:22–24:03

Tone and Style

The conversation is fast-paced, sharp, and candid, reflecting both Segal’s insider’s wit and Senor’s probing, sometimes exasperated tone. Listeners can expect a mix of political skepticism, dark humor, and a sense of the broader historic dilemmas facing Israel.

For Listeners Who Want More

The episode concludes by noting that the full edition includes discussion of upcoming Israeli elections, impacts of European recognition of a Palestinian state on Gaza ceasefire, the US-Saudi arms deal’s effect on Israel’s regional edge, and Israel’s execution of the Gaza war. These are available to Inside Call Me Back subscribers.