Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday night accused former minister Gadi Eisenkot of supporting the Brothers in Arms protest group, which he said fostered military refusal, and of opposing the elimination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the ground operation in Lebanon. 'It's not a shame to be left-wing, but it's dishonest to hide it,' Netanyahu said, according to journalist Adamkar. The remarks escalate a public rift between the two figures.
Earlier Tuesday evening, Netanyahu released a statement saying it is not shameful to be left-wing, adding that people should be free to express their views. Just hours later, in remarks reported by journalist Adamkar, Netanyahu escalated his attack on former minister Gadi Eisenkot, providing a detailed list of what he described as Eisenkot's left-wing positions. Netanyahu accused Eisenkot of supporting the Brothers in Arms protest movement, which he said fostered military refusal among soldiers; of stating that Israel should not eliminate Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei; and of opposing the ground operation in Lebanon. 'This is written and recorded. It is not a shame to be left-wing, but it is dishonest to hide it,' Netanyahu was quoted as saying. The remarks are the latest chapter in an intensifying public rift between the prime minister and the former IDF chief and war cabinet member, who has been positioning himself as a candidate for prime minister. The back-and-forth has been a recurring feature of Israeli political discourse in recent weeks, with both sides trading barbs over security policy and political ideology.
- StrongNetanyahu to Eisenkot: I entered Rafah, Lebanon, Syria, Iran — you wanted zero action
- DevelopingNetanyahu: 'I regret Eisenkot persuaded Gantz to leave the government during war'
- DevelopingTelegram post accuses Eisenkot of inciting reserve refusal before October 7
- DevelopingGadi Eisenkot hints he would partner with Netanyahu
Source and signal
- Internal intake