Businessman Roni Mana Urges Likud Voters to Oust Netanyahu

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived at Stewart Air Force Base in New York on Thursday for a brief visit to address the UN. His choice of landing site, outside of New York City, was reportedly due to difficulties with U.S. authorities and concerns that the mayor of Newburgh, N.Y., might order the plane to depart immediately upon Netanyahu's return. Netanyahu, accompanied by his wife Sara, stayed in New York for only a few hours before flying back to Israel.

During Netanyahu's short trip, businessman Roni Mana, a former associate of the Netanyahu couple who has since become a vocal critic, took to social media platform X to express his views. Mana questioned the purpose of the brief trip, particularly Sara Netanyahu's involvement, and suggested she would be seeking a ride back soon.

Mana then directly addressed supporters of the Likud party, urging them to remove Netanyahu from power. "I appeal here to the Likud people, throw him out. You won't be in power for decades, choose another leader. Not one who is so isolated and hated by the whole world," Mana wrote. He asserted that the world's animosity is directed at Netanyahu personally, not at Israelis or Jews, and that Netanyahu's actions have damaged Israel's international standing.

Mana's past relationship with the Netanyahus included public support, such as chartering a plane in 1997 with a message of support for Sara Netanyahu. He was once a close friend of the couple, but their relationship later deteriorated. Currently, Mana frequently voices his criticism of the Prime Minister and his family on social media and Israeli television.