Yair Lapid Accuses Netanyahu of Fear-Mongering Ahead of Election

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of "fear-mongering" after Netanyahu warned that Israel's enemies could attempt an attack ahead of the country's Oct. 27 parliamentary election.

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after the prime minister warned of possible attacks before the Oct. 27 election. [Photo: Yair Lapid Facebook]

Netanyahu issued the warning in a video recorded at Tel Nof Airbase, saying there were indications that Israel's enemies could seek to carry out an attack before the election.

Lapid subsequently requested an urgent security briefing from the prime minister.

After the briefing, Lapid said he believed the election would take place as scheduled and urged the government not to alarm the public.

"Netanyahu ignored every warning before October 7, and now, 28 days before the election, he's suddenly busy fear-mongering," Lapid said, according to reports.

He added that security threats should be handled professionally and responsibly and criticized the use of a military base as the setting for an election-related video.

Netanyahu's warning comes as Israel continues to face security threats in the region.

The prime minister's office has not publicly disclosed detailed intelligence underlying his warning.

Lapid's comments represent the opposition leader's political response to Netanyahu's warning; they do not independently establish whether an attack is likely or whether the prime minister's warning was justified.