Liberman Blames Netanyahu for October 7 Failures Amidst Political Sparring

Avigdor Liberman, leader of Yisrael Beiteinu, has responded to criticism from Ofer Winter, head of the "Am Yisrael" party, by launching a new attack on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Winter had previously criticized Liberman's willingness to form a coalition with Yair Golan, arguing that such alliances preclude decisive action.

Liberman retorted that in Israel, the military is subordinate to the government, thus holding the entire government, and particularly the Prime Minister, responsible for the October 7th massacre, which he described as the greatest tragedy for the Jewish people since the Holocaust. He asserted that the current "defeatist government of draft dodgers" has failed to achieve victory on any front in the three years since the event.

Furthermore, Liberman attributed the failures directly to the "concept and containment" policies pursued by Netanyahu during his 19 years as Prime Minister. He cited specific examples, including the release of Yahya Sinwar and over a thousand other terrorists, the ceasefire agreement during Operation Protective Edge, and the transfer of Qatari cash to Gaza, all initiated by Netanyahu. Liberman also accused Netanyahu of torpedoing the conscription law and enabling evasion laws through the current coalition.

Liberman concluded by urging Winter to cease hypocrisy and self-righteousness, to withstand pressure, and to speak the truth.