'Remove Netanyahu Now': Opposition Leader Lapid Slams PM for 'Undermining' Election Results
Israel's opposition leader Yair Lapid accuses PM Netanyahu of undermining election results and pushes for a new government.
Israel is facing a mounting political crisis as Opposition Leader Yair Lapid has launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling for his immediate removal from the Prime Minister's Office. Lapid accused the current leader of attempting to "undermine" the results of the recent elections, sparking a frantic series of meetings among Zionist opposition parties to coordinate a path forward.
Lapid Sounds the Alarm
Taking to the social media platform X, Yair Lapid, the number two figure in the B'Yachad party, expressed grave concerns regarding the current political climate. He warned that the country is facing a "serious and dangerous attempt" to distort the will of the voters.
"The conduct of the past few days is just another reminder that we need to remove Netanyahu from the Prime Minister's Office," Lapid stated, emphasizing that despite the tension, the priority must remain the formation of a functioning government.
The Opposition Gathers in Herzliya
The tension culminated in a high-stakes meeting in Herzliya, where heads of the Zionist opposition bloc met to strategize ahead of critical consultations with President Isaac Herzog. The meeting included several key political figures:
- Gadi Eisenkot: Chief of Yashar.
- Naftali Bennett: Leader of B’Yachad.
- Yair Lapid: B’Yachad's number two.
- Avigdor Liberman: Leader of Yisrael Beytenu.
- Yair Golan: Chairman of the Democrats.
Following the discussions, former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett threw his full weight behind Gadi Eisenkot's efforts to assemble a government. Bennett urged the opposition to act with "great urgency," stating that there is no time to waste in the current volatile environment.
A Call for 'National Repair'
Bennett did not stop at government formation; he also called for a swift replacement of the Knesset Speaker, Amir Ohana of the Likud party. His goal is to secure a mandate for a "Zionist government of national repair," which he claims would initiate a "revolution for those who serve."
The Arab Party Dilemma
While the Zionist bloc coordinates, a separate and more controversial diplomatic track is unfolding. Yair Golan, chairman of the Democrats, met with Joint List leaders Yousef Jabareen and Ahmad Tibi to discuss using their parliamentary majority to replace Netanyahu's government.
Golan is currently the only leader within the four-party Jewish-led opposition bloc who openly supports cooperation with Arab parties. The discussions focused on:
- Coordination between factions to form a "change government."
- Practical solutions for key issues affecting the Arab public.
However, this approach has met stiff resistance from other opposition leaders. Avigdor Liberman of Yisrael Beiteinu has explicitly rejected a minority government that relies on the support of Ra'am and the Joint List. Liberman argued on X that a stable government could be established without them, provided there is "proper navigation" to avoid further elections.
Netanyahu’s Stance
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has remained firm in his position. While he expressed openness to a broad national government, he categorically ruled out any administration dependent on Arab-led parties. He accused Ra'am and the Joint List of rejecting the existence of the Jewish state and supporting terrorism.
Claiming a mandate from the Jewish public after his Likud party emerged as the largest, Netanyahu continues to maintain his hold on power amidst the growing storm of opposition demands.