Netanyahu, Lapid play blame game in Knesset 'real shouting match'

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli media
24 Jun 2024 21:22
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The Israeli opposition lambasts Netanyahu for his government's failure in handling the war.

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Yair Lapid, leader of the opposition's Yesh Atid party, addresses the media in the Knesset, on Monday, March 27, 2023. (AP)

The Israeli opposition began on Monday a discussion, known as a "40 signatures discussion," in the Knesset, on a motion regarding what they termed the "failure of the government," Israeli media reported.

Both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and opposition leader Yair Lapid are required to participate in such discussions, which turned into a "real shouting match," according to the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth.

Members of the Israeli opposition and Netanyahu's ruling coalition spoke one after the other. When it was his turn to speak, Netanyahu outlined the state of war and attacked "those who try to weaken morale."

"They keep repeating in every possible way that the Israeli army cannot win. They insult and normalize violence. It is just a vocal minority," he added.

Yedioth Ahronoth noted that Knesset members Yorai Lahav and Mickey Levy from the Yesh Atid party turned their backs on Netanyahu during his speech, while Sharren Haskel of the "National Unity" Party shouted at the premier, accusing him of "not allowing the Israeli army to win."

Lapid then took to the podium and attacked Netanyahu, saying, "There will be no museum named after you, no square, bridge, or airport. There will be only one thing – October 7, and it will bear your name."

The opposition leader stressed that all of Netanyahu's attempts to shift the responsibility for the failure of October 7 to his subordinates and all the slander against the Israeli forces and the Shin Bet will not work.

Yedioth Ahronoth mentioned that Netanyahu returned to the podium for a "real shouting match" with Lapid, accusing the latter of surrendering to Hezbollah in what he called a "shameful" agreement, referring to the maritime border demarcation agreement with Lebanon.

Lapid also took the podium again, responding to Netanyahu, "You lie as much as you breathe." He added that "what killed Israeli deterrence" was the Prime Minister's inaction against Hezbollah's tents in the Bistara Farm that borders the occupied Lebanese Shebaa Farms.