Israeli opposition leader and former Prime Minister Yair Lapid has accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of “fear-mongering” after Netanyahu warned that Israel’s enemies could launch attacks ahead of next month’s general election.
Netanyahu issued the warning in an online video filmed at a military base, saying there were indications that Israel’s enemies could attempt to attack the country before the election. He did not identify a specific adversary.
Lapid, leader of the Yesh Atid party, requested an urgent security briefing with Netanyahu on Tuesday. After the meeting, he said there was no reason to panic the public and insisted that the election should take place as scheduled.
Lapid also criticised Netanyahu for appearing at a military base in what he described as an election campaign video, and accused the prime minister of failing to act on warnings before the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 attacks.
“The elections will take place on time, and no one has an excuse to disrupt them,” Lapid said, while stressing that security threats should be handled professionally and responsibly.
Israel’s general election is scheduled for October 7, exactly three years after the Hamas-led attacks that triggered the ongoing war in Gaza and wider regional conflict.
Netanyahu has also recently warned Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah and the Palestinian Authority that Israel would retaliate against any attack.
The election will determine whether Netanyahu remains prime minister after a period marked by wars in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran. Opposition parties, including Lapid’s Yesh Atid and Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar, have agreed to coordinate efforts aimed at replacing Netanyahu’s government.
Recent polling averages cited by Reuters show a close contest, with no candidate or bloc having a clear path to forming a government.
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