Lapid Accuses Netanyahu of Ignoring Pre-Oct. 7 Intelligence Warnings

Opposition leader Yair Lapid stated that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received numerous warnings about an impending serious event before October 7, 2023, but disregarded them. In an interview with Ynet on Wednesday, September 9, Lapid recalled a security briefing with the Prime Minister held weeks before the October 7 attacks.

Lapid described being horrified by Netanyahu's "indifference" to the intelligence presented. He recounted holding an unusual press conference on September 20, two weeks before the massacre, where he warned of an impending "terrible event," specifically mentioning Gaza, terror threat assessments, and escalation on multiple fronts, despite the prevailing focus on judicial reform.

Explaining his foresight, Lapid revealed that the intelligence came directly from Netanyahu's briefing. "I was at his security briefing as the opposition leader, I was shown materials, and I was horrified," Lapid said. He was particularly disturbed by the intelligence indicating that all terrorist organizations viewed the situation as an opportunity, and by Netanyahu's apparent boredom and weariness with the subject.

The full interview with Yair Lapid is scheduled to be released on the Ynet podcast "120 and One" on September 10.