Israel Beiteinu Official Accuses Netanyahu of Failing on Security, Ideology

Rafi Ben Shitrit, the second-highest-ranking official in the Yisrael Beiteinu party, launched a sharp critique against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stating that Netanyahu is "neither right-wing nor Zionist." Speaking in an interview on "Medabrim News," Ben Shitrit accused Netanyahu of handing over Hebron to Yasser Arafat and being one of the architects of the "concept" that led to the October 7th massacre.

Ben Shitrit further criticized the government's performance, asserting that its primary mission to protect Israeli citizens failed. He urged voters to consider what they would gain by re-electing the current leadership. Regarding the ongoing conflict, he acknowledged that while the IDF has achieved tactical successes, Hamas has not been decisively defeated, a goal that Yisrael Beiteinu and its leader, Avigdor Lieberman, advocate for.

Ben Shitrit declared that Lieberman is the most suitable candidate to lead the government. He also affirmed that Yisrael Beiteinu would not join a coalition government supported by Arab parties, emphasizing that the next coalition would consist solely of Zionist parties.