Former Knesset speaker says Premier Netanyahu 'threat' to Israel

JERUSALEM

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has “become a threat to Israel,” the former speaker of the parliament, Knesset, said on Thursday.

Netanyahu must step down even without waiting for elections, ex-speaker and member of the Knesset from “There is a Future” opposition party, Mickey Levy, said in an interview with the Israeli newspaper Maariv.

“He is focused solely on himself. All his actions are geared towards preserving his personal interests, far surpassing the interests of Israel,” he added.

Levy claimed that even within the Likud (the party that Netanyahu leads) there is complete dissatisfaction with his behavior. Those who fear speaking openly say that the man (Netanyahu) has concluded his journey and is causing serious harm to the party.

Levy emphasized that a government inquiry committee should have been formed to investigate Israel's most significant failure on Oct. 7.

“Netanyahu cannot continue as the prime minister after this failure and we must head to elections,” he added.

"Will it happen?" he questioned, saying that he cannot believe that Netanyahu will do it willingly (holding elections) because he is not the one who takes responsibility. “This man (Netanyahu) is detached from reality.”

Netanyahu faces widespread criticism within Israeli circles due to the failure to detect the Hamas attack on Oct. 7 and the way he is handling the issue of Israeli hostages in the Gaza Strip.

*Writing by Mohammad Sio