Jerusalem:Yair Golan, leader of Israel's opposition Democrats party, has criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stating that he "completely lacks the legitimacy" to initiate a war before the legislative elections scheduled for October 27.
According to Anadolu Agency – English, Golan's remarks follow a report by The Financial Times, which indicated that US President Donald Trump rejected Netanyahu's plan to strike Iranian nuclear and infrastructure facilities. The proposed military campaign was reportedly set to begin on October 10, but Trump opposed any escalation ahead of the US midterm elections on November 3, fearing negative impacts on the Republican Party's prospects.
Golan, who is also a former deputy chief of staff of the Israeli army, expressed his views on the US social media platform X, calling Netanyahu a "sick and weak leader" who is compromising Israel's security for personal gain. He emphasized that Netanyahu lacks the legitimacy to "drag Israel into another military campaign" driven by personal and political motives just before the elections.
Netanyahu, currently standing trial on charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, is facing a critical election that could determine his political future. He has been serving as the head of the government since late 2022 and is wanted by the International Criminal Court over war crimes in the Gaza Strip since 2023.
Golan also urged Israeli military leaders, including Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, to oppose any military actions motivated by personal interests disguised as security needs. He called on voters to participate in the elections to prevent what he termed as a "dangerous government."
In a related development, Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the opposition Yashar party, accused Netanyahu of lying about the destruction of Iranian nuclear bombs, stating that Iran has never possessed such weapons. Eisenkot, who is considered a strong contender against Netanyahu, argued that there is no "direct and immediate threat" necessitating action.
A recent Channel 12 poll showed Eisenkot leading Netanyahu by 12 percentage points in public preference for the position of prime minister. Despite this, polls suggest that neither Netanyahu's bloc nor the opposition is likely to achieve a parliamentary majority, potentially leading to another election unless a coalition with Palestinian parties is formed.
In a separate announcement, the Israeli military revealed that its personnel, including troops in occupied territories, have commenced early voting ahead of the elections.