Netanyahu to Host Torah Study with Security Chiefs; Lapid Invited, Declines

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will host a Torah study event on Thursday evening in the Knesset Sukkot booth, attended by senior security officials. Opposition leader Yair Lapid was also invited but announced he would not attend due to the short notice, making a pointed remark about the organizers. The Prime Minister's Office stated the event, themed "Heroism," will include Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, Mossad chief Roman Gofman, Shin Bet chief David Zini, National Security Advisor Shmuel Ben Ezra, Police Inspector General Dani Levy, and Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Moshe Edri. Participants will also include students from the Tavor pre-military academy, wives of reservists, and IDF veterans. The study session is dedicated to the souls of fallen soldiers and victims of hostile acts, for the recovery of the wounded, and for the unity of the Israeli people.

Lapid's invitation sparked a dispute with the Knesset Speaker. Lapid stated that Ohana sent him a WhatsApp message at 1:42 PM inviting him to an event that evening. Lapid suggested two possibilities: either the organizers were unaware that the evening was Hoshanah Rabbah, or the invitation was intentionally sent late to prevent his attendance, allowing them to later claim he refused to participate. Lapid informed them he could not attend on such short notice and quoted a verse from Psalms, "O Lord, save me from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue."

Ohana rejected Lapid's claim, responding that the decision to hold the event was made that day. He stated he contacted Lapid immediately after receiving the Prime Minister's approval. Ohana added that other Knesset members and his staff also received the invitation during the day and adjusted their plans accordingly. He thanked Knesset staff for organizing the event during the holiday. "Despite the barbs and attributing malicious intent that did not exist, I wish you and your family a happy holiday," the Speaker concluded.