Opposition Leader Dismisses Netanyahu Unity Government Call

Opposition Leader Yair Lapid on Monday dismissed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent call for a broad national government, accusing him of political maneuvering ahead of elections. Lapid spoke at a faction press conference in the Knesset for the Together Party, of which he is a member and which is led by former prime minister Naftali Bennett.

Netanyahu stated during a Saturday press conference that he intends to establish a broad national government and called for unity. Lapid accused Netanyahu of seeking to create satellite parties that would take votes from the opposition bloc.

Lapid pointed to recent coalition legislation, including the Basic Law: Torah Study, which he described as financing draft evasion, and the establishment of a political commission of inquiry into the October 7 Hamas attacks. He said Netanyahu's unity call came after advancing divisive measures.

Lapid stated that Netanyahu would lose the elections and vowed that opposition parties would not sit in a government with him. He said the opposition would form a unity government with other parties after Netanyahu loses. Other opposition leaders also criticized the proposal, calling it a paradox and a new spin.