Opposition leader Yair Lapid sharply criticized the government and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s conduct during the war, questioning his strategy on Monday and saying Israel was failing to meet war objectives as Operation Roaring Lion has continued for over a month.
Lapid’s remarks joined other opposition politicians' similar criticism on Monday, as he visited the impact site of an Iranian missile attack in Haifa, where four people were killed and a building collapsed.
Lapid had previously expressed his full backing for Netanyahu at the beginning of the war, but wrote earlier in the day in a statement that he could no longer hold this stance.
Though he noted that the military was fighting well, he said that the war itself was being managed poorly.
“Netanyahu has failed in all the objectives of the war. We supported, we explained, we showed resilience, we went down to shelters, we followed instructions. It’s time to ask: where is this going?” Lapid questioned.
“Benjamin Netanyahu cannot continue to evade what he himself promised the State of Israel. What he promised was a strategic victory. What about that?”
Lapid argued that a true strategic victory would mean regime change, eliminating the nuclear threat, removing the ballistic threat, and dismantling Hezbollah and Iran’s economic infrastructure.
He also said that a strategic victory would mean a political agreement with the Lebanese government that sets conditions for peace and joint action against Hezbollah. It would require full coordination of war objectives between the US and Israel to prevent a situation in which the two countries have different goals from each other, he added.
Lapid said that none of these goals were being achieved in the war.
“Anyone who ran to a shelter twice in one night has earned the right to ask why the objectives have not been achieved,” he continued.
“We do have growing doubts about the way Netanyahu is managing the war, about his ability to achieve a strategic victory, and about the failed, corrupt, irresponsible, and negligent way the country is being run.”
“We have doubts about what information was given to the Americans before and during the war, and what price we are going to pay for it.”
Opposition criticizes Netanyahu's lack of plan regarding home front
Lapid also questioned why the government had not prepared in advance a plan for the education system, a plan for the Ben-Gurion Airport, a compensation framework for businesses, an organized operational plan in Lebanon, and a diplomatic infrastructure with the US.
Blue and White chairman Benny Gantz criticized the government on Monday for keeping schools closed for over a month since the start of the war, leaving parents across the country without a framework for their children despite workplaces reopening.
Gantz called on the government to reopen the school system.
“The education system needs to reopen,” he said. “And the government should spare parents the headaches and announce today that, unless there is a dramatic change in the situation assessment, the entire education system will resume after the holiday.”
“Anyone who has access to a protected space can and should return,” he said.
Gantz also called for negotiations with the teachers’ unions to simultaneously make up for lost school days.
“Give clear instructions, give local authorities time to prepare, and they will know how to implement it [the plan],” Gantz said.
“And above all, despite this not being the strong suit of this government, take responsibility and speak to the public,” he added.
The Democrats leader, Yair Golan, also arrived at the Iranian missile impact scene in Haifa, calling for new leadership and for Israel to come up with a diplomatic initiative to win the war.
“When there is no leadership capable of making decisive decisions, there is no victory,” he said.
“To truly win, not just on the battlefield, but a victory that brings real quiet and security, we must replace this failing government,” Golan stated.
“We know how to bring security. We know how to combine military strength with strategic diplomatic initiative. Only this combination brings security,” he added.