Ex-IDF General Eizenkot Accuses Netanyahu of Spreading 'Internal Betrayal' Theory

Gadi Eizenkot, head of the Yishai party and former IDF chief of staff, has accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his family of promoting a "theory of internal betrayal" regarding the October 7th Hamas attacks. Speaking to 103FM radio on Tuesday, Eizenkot stated, "It is clear there was negligence, there was no betrayal. Netanyahu is lying at every step and is doing everything to stay in power."

Eizenkot claimed he sent a "warning message" to Netanyahu six weeks before the October 7th attack, receiving only a reply from then-National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi stating, "Your message has arrived."

He further alleged that after joining Netanyahu's government, it took him nine days to convince the Prime Minister and the Security Cabinet to include the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza as a war objective. Eizenkot also recounted Netanyahu allegedly sending a spokesperson to claim Eizenkot was "spreading fear in the Knesset." Eizenkot cited Netanyahu's "very problematic partners" as a reason for his own withdrawal from the government, stating they "limited his ability to act logically."

Regarding current politics, Eizenkot described election polls as "volatile" and confirmed weekly coordination between Zionist parties in the opposition. He also expressed support for President Isaac Herzog's decision to expunge the criminal record of soldier Elor Azaria, who was convicted of manslaughter for killing a wounded Palestinian assailant in Hebron, wishing Azaria and his family "a happy life."

The Likud party responded to Eizenkot's interview, calling his statements "lies again." The party asserted that hostage release was a war aim before Eizenkot joined the government, that Eizenkot did not warn of the Hamas attack, and that his remarks aim to "cover up the fact that he will form a left-wing government with Yair Golan, Lieberman, and Arab parties."