Netanyahu Has Not Given Lapid a Security Briefing Since April, Despite Legal Requirement

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not yet scheduled a security briefing with Opposition Leader Yair Lapid, even as Israel faces concern over the emerging United States-Iran agreement and claims by Israeli officials that it could cause major damage. Lapid asked Netanyahu to hold the required briefing, but the Prime Minister’s Office has still not set a date.

Under a 2000 law, the prime minister must brief the leader of the opposition at least once a month. Netanyahu’s last such briefing to Lapid was on April 15, meaning two months have already passed since their last security update meeting.

Lapid’s aides have contacted Netanyahu’s office several times over recent weeks to arrange the legally required briefing, but those efforts have gone unanswered. Lapid, a former prime minister, is entitled as opposition leader to the sensitive classified security material known as the “black material.”

The meetings are intended to give the opposition leader answers on important security matters, though Netanyahu’s office has sometimes made it difficult to hold them. The briefings usually also include the prime minister’s military secretary and focus only on sensitive security issues currently on the agenda.