Lapid Warns of Consequences of Netanyahu's Election on Israel

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid warned that electing current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would result in a violent, isolated, and globally despised state. Lapid wrote on the platform "X" that Netanyahu's campaign urges voters to support him in exchange for a state plagued by isolation, violence, and hatred, a deteriorating economy, alongside sanctions that would cause significant price hikes and the loss of the military alliance with the United States. He added that the reward would be the exemption of the Haredim from conscription and substantial financial gains for certain figures. In contrast, Lapid presented his campaign promising a successful, prosperous, and globally admired state with an effective and honest government, plans to boost the economy and support the productive public, and the renewal of the security alliance with the United States. He also noted that the Haredim would be conscripted and certain figures would not be part of the government. The Israeli Knesset elections are scheduled for October 27, with the next government to be formed based on the election results. Netanyahu's current government was formed at the end of 2022, and he has served as prime minister since 1996 intermittently, leading the Israeli government for over 18 years, making him the longest-serving prime minister in Israel's history since its establishment in 1948.