Israel’s Netanyahu to brief opposition leaders on Iran’s attack

JERUSALEM

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday invited some opposition leaders to a security briefing about Saturday’s Iranian drone attack against Israel.

Avigdor Lieberman, the head of Yisrael Beiteinu Party, and Gideon Sa’ar, the leader of New Hope Party, were invited to the meeting, The Times of Israel newspaper reported.

Main opposition leader Yair Lapid, the head of Yesh Atid Party, however, was not invited to the briefing.

Netanyahu's office "didn't try to set up a meeting," the newspaper said, citing a source in Lapid’s party.

Israeli public broadcaster KAN said the meeting will be held later in the Defense Ministry headquarters in Tel Aviv, without providing further details.

Lapid's party is the second largest in the 120-seat Knesset (Israel's parliament) with 24 seats after Netanyahu's Likud Party (32).

Iran launched a barrage of drones and missiles at Israel on Saturday in response to the April 1 attack on the Iranian Consulate in Damascus, Syria, in which at least 13 people were killed, including seven military advisers.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar