MK Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of the Yisrael Beitenu party, responded Wednesday to a Channel 12 exposé, saying the prime minister should listen to parents of IDF soldiers and the chief of staff who raised red flags, instead of issuing hollow statements. Lieberman argued that the military cannot be operated solely according to coalition survival considerations, according to his statement.
MK Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of the Yisrael Beitenu party, responded in a statement posted early Wednesday morning to an investigative exposé broadcast on Channel 12, the specific contents of which were not detailed in his message. Lieberman asserted that Prime Minister Netanyahu should heed the warnings of soldiers' parents and the IDF chief of staff — who he said has raised ten red flags — rather than issue vague statements. He argued that operating the IDF solely according to coalition survival considerations is untenable.
The statement echoes a series of similar calls by Lieberman over the past week. On Saturday, June 20, Lieberman called on the then-IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi to confront Netanyahu and demand either a decisive defeat of Hezbollah or withdrawal from Lebanon. The parents of commando fighters in Lebanon had sent an urgent letter to Netanyahu, Katz, and Zamir on June 23, expressing deep concern over daily casualties and demanding clear operational goals. The Zioneer documented both developments.
Lieberman's remarks come as public and political debate over the conduct of the Lebanon campaign continues, with multiple voices — from former PM Yair Lapid to security commentators — criticizing what they describe as political restrictions on the military's rules of engagement. The prime minister has issued statements thanking the troops and emphasizing strategic gains. The specific Channel 12 report Lieberman referenced was not included in the intake.
2 developments
- DevelopingParents of commando fighters in Lebanon send urgent letter to Netanyahu, Katz, and Zamir
- DevelopingLieberman calls on IDF chief to 'turn the tables' on Netanyahu, demand decisive action against Hezbollah
- DevelopingDozens of IDF soldier mothers protest outside chief of staff’s home over Lebanon policy
- DevelopingLiberman calls to topple government if Hezbollah not destroyed, Dahieh not burning
Source and signal
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- Internal intake