Defense Minister Blames Opposition for Potential Attacks

Defense Minister Israel Katz stated on Thursday that any future attacks or terror incidents against Israel would be attributed to opposition leaders Yair Lapid, Naftali Bennett, and Yair Golan. Katz accused the opposition of undermining Israeli deterrence and encouraging enemies through their criticism, which he claimed was driven by narrow political interests and a disconnect from reality.

Katz asserted that the Israeli military is operationally and intelligence-ready to counter Iran and its proxies, emphasizing that Israel is aware of and prepared for all possibilities, regardless of political processes. He further argued that attributing foreign considerations to the government's actions demonstrates a lack of understanding and harms Israel's deterrent capabilities, vowing that he and the Prime Minister would continue to protect Israeli citizens and strike enemies forcefully.

Opposition Leader Yair Lapid responded sharply, calling Katz's statement "irresponsible and hysterical" and a "gift to Israel's enemies." Lapid accused the government of seeking excuses for its failures and of turning national security into a "circus" out of desperation to avoid electoral defeat. He warned that continued leadership by the current government would lead to further disasters like the October 7th attack.

Lapid's comments followed his earlier statement that there was no reason to attack Iran before the upcoming elections, suggesting such actions were attempts to heat up the front and would not help the government electorally. Gadi Eisenkot, Chairman of the National Unity Party, criticized Katz's remarks as an unprecedented low, accusing the Defense Minister of preparing the ground for future disasters and shifting blame preemptively. Eisenkot stated that the current leadership's political survival takes precedence over Israel's security, calling their continued tenure a danger. Yair Golan, Chairman of the Democrats, described Katz's declaration as indicative of panic and hysteria, deeming it an "insanely irresponsible" statement that proves the minister is not mentally fit for the role. He characterized the incitement as a demonstration that the country should not be led by such individuals.