Metula Council Head Slams Netanyahu as Out of Touch, Demands Hezbollah Disarmament

Metula council chief David Azulai sharply criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the government, saying they are completely detached from the security reality in northern Israel. In an interview on the morning program "HaOlam HaBoker," broadcast against the backdrop of Netanyahu’s recent remarks about a possible deal with Iran and the situation in Lebanon, Azulai dismissed the prime minister’s comments as empty rhetoric.

Azulai said Netanyahu "continues to be detached together with the government," adding, "It is not just today, it is almost throughout the past three years, from everything happening here, both in the south and in the north, unfortunately." He described daily incidents of security unrest, rocket fire and explosions, arguing that they stand in stark contrast to the government’s calming messages.

He said residents of the north will not accept any partial solution. "We will not settle for anything other than disarming Hezbollah, militarily and politically," Azulai said. His remarks reflected deep frustration, he said, over a sense of abandonment and helplessness, and over what he sees as a failure by the government to protect civilians.

Azulai also extended his criticism beyond the north, saying the leadership is similarly disconnected from conditions in the south. He dismissed Netanyahu’s visit to Shlomi as a photo opportunity rather than a real response to the crisis, and said people in both regions feel their security is not a top priority.