Opposition Leaders Issue Joint Statement on Alleged Netanyahu Security Failures

For the first time, leaders of the "Change Bloc" parties, Gadi Eisenkot, Naftali Bennett, Avigdor Lieberman, and Yair Golan, released a joint political statement attacking Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The statement was issued in response to allegations published by the newspaper Haaretz, which claimed that UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed warned Netanyahu in late September 2023 about an impending "significant event" orchestrated by Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. The report, based on research for a new book, further alleged that Netanyahu did not relay this information to the security establishment.

The Prime Minister's Office vehemently denied the report, calling it a "complete lie" and stating that Netanyahu did not speak with the UAE president during the specified period nor receive any such warning. Despite the denial, the opposition leaders adopted the allegations as fact, calling the "shaking exposé" a call for immediate and thorough investigation. They cited it as further evidence of Netanyahu's failures and inability to function.

The opposition leaders' statement asserted that serious warnings had reached Netanyahu directly, which he ignored without informing the security apparatus. They questioned what Netanyahu knew, when he knew it, why he didn't update security forces, and why he failed to act to protect Israeli citizens.

Furthermore, Eisenkot, Bennett, Lieberman, and Golan pledged that if they form the next government, they will establish a state commission of inquiry to investigate the failures leading up to the October 7th attacks. They concluded their statement by declaring that Netanyahu and his government partners are "unfit to continue in their roles."