Lapid Exposes Netanyahu's Contradiction Regarding Election Warnings: Do Not Incite Panic

Tel Aviv - Afaq News - After a security situation update meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, opposition leader Yair Lapid stated that the security agencies are on high alert for the elections, and there is no need to incite panic among the people.

Netanyahu's office stated after the meeting: "The intelligence report provided detailed warnings about potential attacks on various fronts ahead of the elections."

Lapid said he would not violate the confidentiality of the updated information, but added: "The updated information regarding threats should come from the relevant authorities, from the Israeli army, and from the Shin Bet security service, not from a politician's Twitter account running an election campaign."

According to him, "Before his appointment in October, Netanyahu did not respond to any warnings, and 28 days before the elections, he suddenly became preoccupied with intimidation."

He said: "If Netanyahu is so concerned about the security situation, let him recruit the 15,000 ultra-Orthodox who are absent from the Israeli army."

Lapid also stated that he urged the Prime Minister to hold a joint meeting with the head of the Shin Bet, "who is legally responsible for protecting democracy," and with the head of the Central Elections Committee, Judge Noam Solberg, "to ensure that everyone is informed and coordinating their efforts before the elections." Solberg was not invited to the meeting tonight, despite Lapid's request.

Netanyahu had earlier published a video filmed at the Tel Nof airbase, warning of a potential attack on Israel in the coming weeks. Netanyahu said: "There are indications that our enemies will try to attack us before the elections."

The Israeli army expressed its surprise at the statement. Military sources reported that the issue had not been raised in recent discussions, and that "no concrete and reliable information has yet emerged linking the election day directly to the escalation."

On the other hand, Netanyahu's associates stated that the statement was issued following a specific warning, and not due to a general threat.