Calls have grown for holding fresh elections in Israel amid criticism of Netanyahu over his failure to acknowledge responsibility for Hamas’ operation on October 7.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly fears that growing frustration within his Likud Party could lead to a joint effort with the opposition to oust him, according to Israeli media.
Opposition leader, Yair Lapid, notably said on Monday that his Yesh Atid Party is ready to vote in favor of replacing Netanyahu with Yuli Edelstein of the Likud Party, or with Benny Gantz or Gadi Eisenkot, both from the Blue and White opposition party, the Anadolu News Agency, quoting Israeli media, reported.
The Israeli Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper reported that as Netanyahu tries to contain the situation, “he attempts to re-appoint ministers who resigned under Norwegian Law, citing the closure of unnecessary ministries.”
Under Norwegian Law in Israel, a Knesset (parliament) member who obtains a ministerial portfolio gives up his seat in the Knesset to a party member who ran in the elections and was unable to win a seat, the report added.
“In recent days, fears have grown of a rebellion against Netanyahu in the Likud Party and of a joint move with the opposition to oust him,” the newspaper said.
“Criticisms of the party and the ruling coalition by Likud members have increased amid attempts to make a move against Netanyahu,” it added.
On Monday, Lapid reportedly said Netanyahu “is not qualified to lead the country”.
Calls have grown for holding fresh elections in Israel amid criticism of Netanyahu over his failure to acknowledge responsibility for the Resistance Movement Hamas’ operation on October 7.
Israel’s Opposition Leader Lapid Says Netanyahu ‘Must Go Now’
Opinion polls conducted by Israeli media in the past few days suggested that, if early elections were held now, Netanyahu would be unable to form a government, while Gantz is considered the most likely to succeed.
According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, 23,357 Palestinians have been killed, and 59,410 wounded in Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza starting on October 7.
Palestinian and international estimates say that the majority of those killed and wounded are women and children.
(PC, Anadolu)
