Israeli Opposition Leader Calls for Removal of Prime Minister

The leader of the Israeli opposition has called for the removal of Benjamin Netanyahu from his position and for him to be replaced by another member of the Likud party, without holding new national elections. Yair Lapid, the opposition leader, claimed in an interview with Channel 12 of Israeli television on Wednesday that after Hamas's attack on southern Israel on October 7, the public has lost trust in Netanyahu, and another member of the Likud party should replace him without new elections. Lapid did not name a specific replacement but stated, "We cannot conduct a large-scale military operation with a prime minister whom the people do not trust." The Likud party responded to the rival party leader's request, stating that this demand is "playing politics during wartime." The party emphasized that Netanyahu is leading military operations against Hamas and that "Lapid should support him instead of trying to remove him." Led by Benjamin Netanyahu, the Likud party secured 64 out of 120 seats in the Knesset during a nationwide vote on November 4, 2022. Yair Lapid, leader of the Yesh Atid party and former Prime Minister of Israel, accepted defeat despite his party winning 24 seats, making it the second-largest party in the Knesset. Following Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, the Likud party announced on Saturday, October 14, that Avigdor Lieberman, head of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, would "immediately" join the national emergency government and its security cabinet. Meanwhile, the Times of Israel reported, citing a source close to Yair Lapid, that he currently has no plans to join Netanyahu's emergency government. The Israeli Finance Minister has called for the "voluntary migration" of Palestinians from Gaza. The Israeli Foreign Minister stated that Guterres is not worthy of leading the United Nations. A five-day march by families of Israeli hostages has begun towards "Netanyahu's residence." Netanyahu has stated that the war will continue "until the end of Hamas." A minister who had suggested the option of nuclear bombing of Gaza has been suspended from attending cabinet meetings. The Israeli army spokesperson stated that the fight against the "criminal organization" Hamas continues. The formation of an emergency government in Israel has become more likely. Netanyahu's emergency cabinet has included Lieberman, but Lapid currently has no plans to join it.