Netanyahu greater threat to 'Israel' than Iran, Hezbollah: Lieberman

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies + Al Mayadeen Net
18 Mar 2023 23:22
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Israeli former PM Lapid says that he is concerned about what Netanyahu is doing inside "Israel" and not outside of it.

Israelis protest against plans by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to overhaul the Israeli judicial system, in "Tel Aviv" Saturday, March 18, 2023 (AP)

Israeli Kan news channel reported on Saturday that the head of Yisrael Beytenu party and former Minister of Security of the occupation entity Avigdor Lieberman, called the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the greatest threat to "Israel", even more so than Iran and Hezbollah.

For his part, the head of the Israeli opposition and former prime minister Yair Lapid, said in a televised interview with Channel 13 Israeli broadcaster that he is concerned about what Netanyahu is doing inside "Israel" and not outside of it.

Lapid confirmed that he would not enter into a government with Netanyahu, adding that the prime minister and his men are destroying little by little and dismantling the economy and security of the occupation.

The opposition leader indicated in his statements that this crisis is unprecedented in "Israel", adding that it is the most serious crisis that has faced "Tel Aviv", and which came as a result of what the Israeli government is doing.

Israelis have reportedly resumed their protests to rally against the judicial reform legislation after Netanyahu rejected an appeal for compromise proposed by the President.

Several provisions of the proposed judicial reform plan have already been adopted by parliament. Protestors in "Tel Aviv" have described them as "the end of democracy”.

Hundreds of thousands of Israeli settlers have been taking the streets for over 10 weeks to protest against the judicial overhaul introduced by Netanyahu's government, while marches have been witnessing recently increased incidents of clashes between Israeli police and settlers that are blocking main roads, highways, and train stations.

Earlier in February, the former prime minister said that half a year from now [then], Israeli society will crumble from within and abound with hatred.

He also proclaimed that "Israel" is on the brink of the abyss, and is at a decisive moment," adding that it is "walking towards ruin if the judicial amendments law is passed."

On March 1, opposition leader Benny Gantz urged Netanyahu to immediately meet with him over the government’s "judicial reforms", warning that "Israel" was heading toward a civil war.

"When will we stop? When blood is spilled?" Gantz said at a press conference in the Israeli Knesset, adding that "a civil war is coming and the coalition is running toward it with its eyes wide shut."

"This is a real emergency," he indicated.

The ongoing warnings of a collapsed entity were not limited in the recent period to the occupation's opposition parties.

Joining the distress call, the Israeli occupation President Isaac Herzog said earlier this month that he is fearful for the fate of "Israel", following protests that saw illegal Israeli settlers blocking roads and train stations in protest of the "judicial reforms" of Netanyahu's government.

"All of us — are in a difficult hour of an internal, deep, and serious crisis that threatens us all," Herzog admitted, speaking at the graduation of Navy cadets in Haifa.

He said that "Israel" "may plunge into a terrible abyss, but on the other hand, we can reach a solution with broad agreement."

"I will not let our State of Israel — of all of us — reach the point of no return, I will not let this historical disaster happen," the Israeli occupation President underlined without clarifying how he intends to do so.