Lapid Criticizes Netanyahu's Security Warnings Ahead of Elections

Opposition leader Yair Lapid stated that Israel's security forces are prepared for elections and there is no reason to cause public panic, following a security briefing with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu's office confirmed that the intelligence briefing detailed warnings of potential attacks on various fronts leading up to the elections. Lapid, while respecting the briefing's confidentiality, criticized the source of such updates, asserting they should come from professional bodies like the IDF and Shin Bet, not a politician's social media account during an election campaign.

Lapid accused Netanyahu of fear-mongering, drawing a parallel to the period before the October 7th attacks, when he claimed Netanyahu ignored warnings. He contrasted this with Netanyahu's current focus on security threats just 28 days before elections. Lapid also addressed the military draft issue, recalling the IDF Chief of Staff's warnings six months prior about a shortage of combat soldiers and IDF fatigue. Lapid suggested that if Netanyahu were genuinely concerned about security, he should focus on enlisting the 15,000 ultra-Orthodox men currently exempt from service.

Furthermore, Lapid requested a joint meeting with the head of the Shin Bet, whom he described as legally responsible for defending democracy, and the chairman of the Central Elections Committee, Judge Noam Sohlberg, to ensure coordination for the upcoming elections. Sohlberg was not invited to the meeting despite Lapid's request. The meeting between Lapid and Netanyahu was arranged following a prior exchange between them.

This exchange follows Netanyahu's earlier video statement from an air force base, warning of potential enemy attacks in the coming weeks, specifically around election day. The IDF expressed surprise at Netanyahu's statement, with security officials telling Kan News that concrete intelligence directly linking election day to an escalation had not been discussed recently. However, sources close to Netanyahu maintained that his statement was based on a specific warning, not a general threat.