developing· Politics· Updated 09:49

Israel's Defense Minister Blames Opposition for Potential Terror Attacks

Defense Minister Yisrael Katz said opposition leaders would be blamed for any future attacks on Israel, and opposition figures accused him of shifting responsibility ahead of elections. The exchange centered on security warnings about possible attacks during the election period.

11 newsrooms · 4 languages · since 08:40

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Israel's Defense Minister Blames Opposition for Potential Terror Attacks — Illustration by baba

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What happened

01Defense Minister Yisrael Katz said any future attack on Israel would be recorded against Yair Lapid, Naftali Bennett and Yair Golan.
02Katz said the warnings came from intelligence about enemies' intentions to attack during the election period.
03Katz accused opposition leaders of undermining Israeli deterrence and serving Israel's enemies.
04Yair Lapid called Katz's statement irresponsible and hysterical, and said it was a gift to Israel's enemies.
05Lapid accused the government of failure in security and of seeking excuses for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's failures.
06Gadi Eisenkot called Katz's move an unprecedented low and said Netanyahu and Katz were prioritizing political survival.
07Katz said the IDF is prepared to act against Iran and its proxies on all fronts.

Katz said any future attack would be recorded in the names of Yair Lapid, Naftali Bennett and Yair Golan, and said the warnings were based on intelligence about enemies' intentions. He argued that opposition criticism undermines Israeli deterrence and helps Israel's enemies.

Lapid called Katz's remarks irresponsible and hysterical, and a gift to Israel's enemies. He accused the government of failure in security and of looking for excuses instead of taking responsibility for its failures.

Gadi Eisenkot also attacked Katz, calling the move an unprecedented low and saying the defense minister and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were prioritizing political survival. Katz also said the IDF is prepared to act against Iran and its proxies on all fronts.

Summarized by baba from the reports of 8 newsrooms. Updated 09:52