Operation 'Days of Response': What Supporters and Opponents of Netanyahu in Israel Are Saying?

The Israeli army's Operation 'Days of Response' in reaction to the missile attack by the Islamic Republic of Iran on Israel on October 1 has garnered widespread support from public opinion and the opposition in Israel, raising the question of what this 'success' will change in the current multi-front war for Israel. Former Israeli military and security experts praised the Israeli Air Force's capabilities as 'a global superior power' following the operation and the safe return of all fighter jets to their bases. They also called for accountability from Israeli officials regarding how this 'significant military achievement' will affect the overall strategy of the current war and how the country will achieve its two main objectives in the war in Gaza and Lebanon: the release of remaining Israeli hostages held by the extremist group Hamas and the safe return of tens of thousands of Israelis evacuated from the north of the country. In response to the missile attack on October 1, Israeli opposition leaders praised their military for its 'powerful' and 'precise' military response but heavily criticized Benjamin Netanyahu for only targeting military objectives of the Islamic Republic of Iran in this operation. Yair Lapid, the main leader of the political opposition to Netanyahu in the Knesset, wrote on X that refraining from attacking Iran's strategic and economic targets was a mistake and worthy of criticism. Mr. Lapid, who briefly served as prime minister two years ago, added, 'We could have dealt significant blows to Iran and made the government that is at the axis of evil pay a heavy price. Iran must pay dearly for its transgressions.' He congratulated the Israeli army, stating that the Air Force had once again demonstrated its operational capabilities at the highest global level and proven its air superiority over Israel's enemies. Naftali Bennett, Avigdor Lieberman, and nearly all other leaders of the Israeli opposition pressured Netanyahu after the Iranian missile attack on their country to conduct extensive strikes against Iran's strategic economic and nuclear targets, stating that the army has the capability to strike any target and Netanyahu should not limit the military. Mr. Bennett stated that striking Iran's nuclear sites is an opportunity that may only arise once every 50 years. Avigdor Lieberman, leader of the 'Israel Our Home' party, while praising the 'impressive capabilities of the army and the professionalism of the pilots at the highest level,' wrote on X that despite this success, one cannot ignore the difficult reality that the Iranians will not stop at this level. He wrote that Iran will continue its efforts to acquire nuclear weapons and transfer funds from oil and gas sales to Hezbollah, the Houthis, Shiite militias (in Iraq), and other proxies. Mr. Lieberman expressed regret that Netanyahu's government did not extract the 'real price' from the Iranian government and settled for 'buying calm instead of a clear resolution,' while 'the time has come for action that demonstrates our capabilities in practice and not just in words.' He, who has served in the political career as Minister of Defense, has called for an 'asymmetrical response' from his country to the Iranian missile attack in recent weeks, stating that Israel has the capability to 'finish off' Iran alone. Tali Gotlib, a Knesset representative and a prominent member of Netanyahu's ruling Likud party, also joined the critics of the prime minister. Ms. Gotlib wrote on X that not attacking Iran's nuclear facilities is a grave mistake that future generations will mourn for decades. She added: 'We missed the opportunity to weaken Iran so that it does not become a nuclear power for years to come.' 'Giving Iran a ladder to climb down from the tree' Military commentator Ron Ben-Yishai wrote in Yedioth Ahronoth on Saturday that the goal of his country's attack was to warn the Iranian government while simultaneously weakening its military capabilities. According to him, Israel determined the targets of the operation solely from a military perspective, and the strikes on Iran's missile capabilities will force Tehran to think more carefully about its potential future attacks against Israel. Mr. Ben-Yishai wrote that the attack was the result of strategic thinking, and the operation demonstrated the high military skill of the Israeli army. He added that the strategic thinking emphasized showing the vulnerability of the Iranian regime while simultaneously providing a 'ladder' for Iran to 'climb down from the tree of threats' and manage the situation to prevent the outbreak of a regional war that neither Israel, the U.S., nor Iran desires. He added that Israel proved in this operation that it knows how to combine strategy, diplomacy, intelligence, technology, and the ability to conduct complex air operations, especially demonstrating in practice that its various fighter jets can carry heavy weapons over long distances - while dozens of these warplanes were refueling to continue operations in the enemy's airspace. Ben-Yishai wrote that the reputation and credibility of the Iranian government is now 'severely damaged' among a significant portion of the Iranian people, and regardless of the rhetoric of Iranian leaders, a message has been sent to the opponents of the Iranian government about how weak their ruling government is. The Israeli National Media Network, Kan, noted that despite multiple trips by the Iranian Foreign Minister to regional countries in recent days to 'intimidate these governments,' Israeli fighter jets during the 'Days of Response' operation freely and without any concern crossed the airspace of any country they wished and easily entered Iranian airspace to strike their intended targets. Kan deemed the condemnation of the Israeli operation by Saudi Arabia as not very significant and stated that the statements from several other regional countries condemning Israel were also a 'superficial' behavior. According to Kan, however, the Iranian leadership is in a difficult situation; it is trapped by its own rhetoric about whether it should attack Israel again while Tehran is aware that its renewed reaction would have much more serious consequences. Kan wrote that Israel has made every effort to conduct an operation that brings Iran down from its high horse without escalating the crisis; this is reflected in the precise selection of purely military targets instead of oil and nuclear facilities and that Israel showed the greatest coordination with the U.S. so as not to lose face in Washington either. Families of 101 Israeli hostages: No more excuses for a deal Ofri Bibas, spokesperson for the Bibas family, whose son, daughter-in-law, and two grandsons have been held captive by Hamas in Gaza for 386 days, addressed Benjamin Netanyahu in a video saying: 'While congratulating our Prime Minister for this operation, every time you said that for a real effort to free the hostages, the army must first enter Gaza, then you said the army must enter Rafah, then you said the army must enter Lebanon, then you said we must eliminate Hassan Nasrallah, Hashem Safi al-Din, and Yahya Sinwar. Then you said it was time to address the Iranian missile attack on Israel. Now you have successfully completed all these operations, and it is time to save our loved ones.' The spokesperson urged Netanyahu to send Israeli officials who are set to resume indirect negotiations with the extremist group Hamas in Doha this week with 'the necessary authorities' to make final decisions regarding the details that would lead to a successful deal. Families of other kidnapped Israeli citizens also emphasized the need to focus on advancing a deal for the freedom of their loved ones in conversations with Israeli media on Saturday. Ifat Kalderon, whose cousin Ofer has been a hostage of Hamas for the past 12 and a half months, told the media that it is time to present a comprehensive plan for a deal to free the hostages because they will not survive in Gaza. Ms. Ifat added: 'The freedom of our loved ones is not like military achievements that can be obtained through airstrikes.' Retired General Yair Golan, former Deputy Chief of Staff of the Israeli army and a politician who has recently taken over the leadership of his left-wing party, supported the families' demands for hostages, saying: 'If our operation in Iran has closed the circle of reactions, which is of utmost importance, the Israeli government must now focus on a deal that leads to the freedom of the hostages.' He expressed concern that Netanyahu's government lacks the necessary capability to achieve this goal.