Lapid Criticizes Internal Strife, Warns Against Iran Attack Before Elections
Translated & summarized from N12 by baba
Opposition leader Yair Lapid criticized internal disputes within the "change bloc" ahead of elections, urging focus on victory. He revealed a meeting with Gadi Eisenkot and Naftali Bennett, advising against a "big party" campaign strategy. Lapid stated there is no intelligence basis for an attack on Iran before the elections and expressed distrust in Prime Minister Netanyahu on security matters. He also rejected the idea of national unity with Netanyahu and called an advisor to the prime minister a "Qatari agent."
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Opposition leader Yair Lapid stated there is no intelligence justification for an attack on Iran before the elections.
- Lapid revealed a meeting with Gadi Eisenkot and Naftali Bennett, advising against the "big party" campaign strategy.
- Lapid expressed distrust in Prime Minister Netanyahu on security matters, while trusting the IDF.
- Lapid rejected the concept of national unity with Netanyahu, calling it "not unity."
- Lapid criticized Jonathan Urikh, an advisor to the prime minister, as a "Qatari agent."
- Lapid stated his bloc would not rely on Arab parties for support.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid stated in an interview on "Meet the Press" that internal disputes within the "change bloc" are unnecessary and harmful, especially with elections just ten days away. He revealed a "night meeting" with former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot and former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett at his home, where he conveyed a message to Eisenkot: "We've already tried the big party campaign, and Netanyahu ended up as prime minister." Lapid also asserted that there is no intelligence justification for an attack on Iran before the elections, emphasizing that elections are sacred in a democracy.
Lapid criticized the current government's security performance, stating they have failed to defeat Hamas or Hezbollah, halt Iran's nuclear program, or stop its ballistic missile program. He expressed distrust in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding security matters, though he affirmed his confidence in the IDF and its chief of staff, Eyal Zamir. Lapid also addressed the issue of ultra-Orthodox conscription and preventing another October 7th, stating these cannot be guaranteed in a government with Netanyahu.
Regarding the "big party" campaign strategy, Lapid recalled that it has historically led to Netanyahu forming governments, even when his own party was larger. He contrasted this with the time he and Bennett formed a government with fewer mandates, suggesting a bloc-based approach is more effective. Lapid also dismissed discussions about minority governments as irrelevant, stressing the need to secure 61 mandates to win the elections.
Lapid strongly rejected the idea of national unity with Netanyahu, calling it "not unity." He also stated that the President should not be involved in influencing election outcomes or government formations. He reiterated his stance on the need to address core issues, including ultra-Orthodox conscription and economic reforms, and criticized Jonathan Urikh, an advisor to the prime minister, as a "Qatari agent" receiving money from an enemy state while working in the Prime Minister's Office during wartime.
In response to a question about potential leaks from within the security establishment, Lapid argued that the unprecedented event is the Prime Minister allegedly lying and falsifying protocols, not individuals revealing the truth under such circumstances. He also addressed the role of Arab parties, stating his bloc would not rely on them for support.
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