Israeli Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu criticized the actions of outgoing Prime Minister Yair Lapid on Friday, claiming he is trying to convince army officers to rise up against the government.
“I was elected to lead the State of Israel and I intend to do so in your mission and in the spirit of the national and democratic principles upon which I was raised in my father's house and which have guided me all my life,” Netanyahu wrote on Twitter.
Netanyahu accuses Lapid of inciting officers to rebel after talk about far right in Israel https://t.co/EMutykfsG1
— Haaretz.com (@haaretzcom) December 2, 2022
“I strongly condemn Lapid's attempts to intimidate officers, army and mayors against the elected government under our leadership,” he said.
“The IDF (Israeli army) must be kept out of any political debate,” he wrote, adding: “Of course, senior officers should not be rebelled against an Israeli government that has gained the trust of the people.”
Prime Minister Yair Lapid hit back at Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday after the Likud leader accused him of attempting a revolt against Netanyahu's incoming government.#Israel | #Politics https://t.co/WHAjeNNNGg
— The Jerusalem Post (@Jerusalem_Post) December 2, 2022
He also described the action as “crossing the red line.”
“Even when we were in opposition, we never rebelled against the Israeli government.
Netanyahu blasts Lapid over letter calling not to cooperate with MK Avi Maoz. Lapid: I won't receive lessons in democracy from you. https://t.co/gxz7ygxCyq
— Israel National News - Arutz Sheva (@ArutzSheva_En) December 2, 2022
“We didn't do that even when the outgoing government formed a government with representatives of the Muslim Brotherhood who oppose a Jewish and democratic state, who deny women and LGBT rights,” he said.
“Nor have we done so that the outgoing government has trampled democratic norms in the Knesset and the government,” he said.
Lapid's comments are seditious and against the law, he should have known better.
— Avraham Israeli Zionist 🇮🇱🇨🇦 (@IsraeliAvraham) December 2, 2022
Lapid is nothing more than a very poor looser.
Netanyahu: Lapid inciting rebellion among military officers, local authoritieshttps://t.co/XHLrZb2vPo
He urged the opposition to react in accordance with responsibilities toward the state.
“We have one country, one army and one people. We can't hurt them,” he said.
“Equally I reject the false claims against us,” he said. “The Government of Israel under my leadership will uphold the rights of all citizens of Israel and will ensure that we act with mutual guarantee and national responsibility, as we have done in all governments under my leadership.”
“And a final point: Whoever leads government policy is first and foremost the Prime Minister.
Netanyahu Accuses Outgoing PM Lapid of Inciting Officers to Rebel After Talk About Far Right in #Israel.
— Mete Sohtaoğlu (@metesohtaoglu) December 2, 2022
Netanyahu referred to a Haaretz report which revealed that Lapid told an IDF general that ‘far right in every country around the world always aims to get control of the army’
“I will lead the Government of Israel according to the national and democratic principles that have guided me all my life, and through them I will work to ensure and improve the lives of all citizens of Israel - without exception,” he added.
Ben-Gvir, who heads the far-right Jewish Strength Party, is expected to become national security minister in the upcoming government headed by Netanyahu.
Netanyahu is currently in the process of consultation with right-wing parties to form the government, as his coalition secured a simple parliamentary majority that allows him to form the government.
