Israel’s Lapid accuses Netanyahu of ‘fear-mongering’ over attack warning | Israel Election 2026 News
Opposition Leader Criticizes Netanyahu’s Election Security Warning
JERUSALEM — Yair Lapid, the leader of Israel’s opposition and head of the Yesh Atid party, has labeled Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent comments about potential attacks before the upcoming general election as “fear-mongering.” This statement follows Netanyahu’s warning that enemies of Israel may attempt to launch attacks in the run-up to the election scheduled for October 7.
In an online video released earlier Tuesday, Netanyahu appeared at a military base alongside a fighter jet, suggesting there are “indications that, ahead of the elections, our enemies will try to attack us.” However, he did not specify which adversaries he was referring to. Recent weeks have seen him caution against threats from Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Palestinian Authority, while vowing to retaliate if attacked.
Following Netanyahu’s comments, Lapid called for an urgent security briefing. He expressed confidence that the election would proceed as planned and criticized the prime minister for unnecessarily alarming the public. “There is no reason to panic the public,” Lapid stated. “The elections will take place on time, and no one has an excuse to disrupt them.”
Moreover, Lapid accused Netanyahu of exploiting military assets for political gain and pointed to what he viewed as the prime minister’s failure to heed warnings leading up to the attacks by Hamas on October 7, which have resulted in a significant escalation of violence in Gaza. “Netanyahu ignored every warning before October 7, and now, 28 days before the election, he’s suddenly busy fear-mongering,” Lapid said. He emphasized the importance of addressing security threats with professionalism and responsibility.
The upcoming election marks Israel’s first vote since the Hamas-led assaults that ignited conflict in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran. It carries significant implications for Netanyahu’s future, as he seeks to maintain his position amidst a competitive political landscape.
Netanyahu, who has been Israel’s longest-serving leader since first taking office in 1996, has recently faced scrutiny over allegations that regional partners informed him of a possible Hamas attack—an assertion his political rivals have highlighted. Current polling averages indicate a tight race, with no clear frontrunner. Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar party has emerged as a strong challenger, holding a slim lead over Netanyahu’s Likud party, according to Reuters.
If current trends continue, parties opposed to Netanyahu could hold a majority in the Knesset, although forming a coalition may prove challenging. Opposition figures, including Lapid and Eisenkot, recently agreed to coordinate efforts to bolster support and turnout in their constituencies to enhance their chances of forming a new government.
In a separate statement, Netanyahu noted that he regularly holds security briefings with Lapid and had discussed possible threats “on the various fronts ahead of the elections.”
