As Israel grapples with deepening domestic divisions, opposition leader Yair Lapid has called for the immediate removal of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, citing his inability to lead the country during wartime.
"Netanyahu is unfit to lead the country," said Lapid during an interview with Israel's Channel 12. He urged Israel's legal advisor to make an official declaration on the matter.
The calls for Netanyahu's removal come after his controversial decision to fire Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant, allegedly over disagreements regarding the conduct of Israel's current conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon.
Gallant also reportedly opposed Netanyahu's refusal to negotiate and accept a hostage exchange deal with Hamas in exchange for a permanent ceasefire. Gallant was also against Netanyahu's decision to obstruct an inquiry into the Oct. 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel by Hamas that killed around 1,200 Israelis.
United States officials have described Netanyahu's firing of Gallant as "bizarre and incomprehensible." His dismissal further fueled widespread unrest in Israel, where public protests have intensified over Netanyahu's actions.
Netanyahu facing opposition for his handling of the conflict
Critics have accused Netanyahu of undermining Israel’s democracy, with prominent figures including former prime ministers and national security officials calling for his resignation.
A letter sent to Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana earlier this year, signed by over 40 former senior officials, including former Israel Defense Forces chiefs and Nobel laureates, holds Netanyahu accountable for the failures that led to the Oct. 7 massacre. (Related: Mass protests in Israel after Netanyahu fires his defense minister in desperate bid to hold onto power.)
The letter directly blames Netanyahu for fostering a political environment that weakened Israel’s security, particularly through his controversial judicial reforms and alliance with extremist religious factions. These reforms, which critics argue have destabilized the nation, were seen as a key factor contributing to the intelligence and security lapses that allowed Hamas to launch its unprecedented attack.
"Netanyahu bears primary responsibility for creating the circumstances leading to the brutal massacre," the letter reads. "The victim’s blood is on Netanyahu’s hands."
The 40 signatories include scientists, business leaders, former heads of Israel's foreign and domestic security services, Mossad and Shin Bet, respectively, and former CEOs and ambassadors.
The letter also notes that Netanyahu has for the longest time supported Hamas' control over Gaza to undermine the Palestinian Authority's efforts to govern both Gaza and the West Bank.
For years, Netanyahu approved Qatar's delivery of cash-filled suitcases into Gaza to keep Hamas' government over the Gaza Strip fully funded. It allowed Hamas to pocket some of the funds ostensibly meant to support social services to grow its military strength. This policy has come under renewed scrutiny as Netanyahu faces accusations of indirectly empowering Hamas, making Israel's security situation more precarious.
As Israel faces mounting pressure at home and abroad, the debate over Netanyahu’s leadership and his future in office remains a defining issue. While Netanyahu refuses to step down, the demands for his resignation are growing louder, with many calling for a national "restart" to restore stability and security to the country.
Learn more about the volatile political situation inside Israel at IsraelCollapse.com.
Watch this episode of "World Alternative Media" as host Josh Sigurdson speculates about the possibility that the Israel Defense Forces may launch a coup against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
This video is from the McKenna channel on Brighteon.com.
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