Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a cryptic video on Tuesday warning of an “attack” planned before the national election, raising questions and accusations from his political rivals.
asserted
Netanyahu → release → rivals
The video, shot on the premises of Tel Nof Air Force Base, featured the premier speaking directly into the camera as he warned Israel’s “enemies” not to go through with an unspecified attack believed to be planned ahead of the Knesset election on Oct. 27.
asserted
he → shoot → Oct.
“There are signs that leading up to the elections, our enemies will try to attack us,” Netanyahu said in the video, speaking Hebrew.
asserted
Netanyahu → be → Hebrew
“I am sending [enemies] a message — don’t mess with us.
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I → send → us
Our long arm will reach you anywhere, and at any time.”
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arm → reach → time
The lack of clarity about the allegedly impending attacks raised eyebrows among Netanyahu’s political adversaries, who were caught off guard by the claim.
uncertain
who → raise → claim
The Yashar Party, led by Gadi Eisenkot, demanded that the leader of the opposition, Yair Lapid, be briefed immediately on the situation, but questioned whether the threat was genuine or merely a “political maneuver” during a contentious campaign.
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threat → lead → campaign
“If Netanyahu’s statements regarding the security threats are correct, this requires an immediate update from the chairman of the opposition, Yair Lapid,” the party said.
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party → regard → opposition
“This, in order to ensure that it is indeed a genuine threat and not a political maneuver intended to harm the election system.”
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it → ensure → system
The party also warned Netanyahu to be careful about his use of the military base during campaign season, writing: “It is strictly forbidden to mix between Israel’s security and the election system.
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It → warn → security
Lapid chimed in on social media to support the demand for a security update, announcing he has made a formal request for a briefing on the allegedly impending attack.
“I request to understand if the threats are real, and if so, how the prime minister is preparing this time to ensure the election will take place without disruptions,” he wrote.
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he → chime → disruptions
Netanyahu’s office said the prime minister’s military secretary will provide Lapid with a security update, in line with the regular updates provided to the opposition leader.
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secretary → say → leader
Israeli media reports later asserted that Netanyahu is arranging for a special security meeting with Lapid and other senior officials later Tuesday night.
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Netanyahu → assert → Lapid
Lapid maintains that his most serious concern is whether these alleged threats will disrupt the timeline for the election, and later expanded on his demands for information, stating the head of the elections committee and the head of Israeli intelligence must be involved in discussions.
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head → maintain → discussions
“The moment the prime minister of a democratic country publicly states that there is a threat that could disrupt the election, all involved parties must receive a full update if there is a problem and what steps are being taken to ensure the process proceeds in full,” Lapid wrote in a follow-up statement.
uncertain
Lapid → state → statement
“Therefore, I demand that Netanyahu promptly hold a four-way discussion with him and me together with the Shin Bet head and Central Elections Committee chairman.”
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Netanyahu → demand → head
Lapid also took a dig at the prime minister, over Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023: “When there’s an election, suddenly he takes the warnings seriously.”
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he → take → warnings
The upcoming Knesset election is widely perceived as a referendum on Netanyahu, who has been in power for almost two decades with only brief interruptions.
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who → perceive → interruptions
The prime minister has been plagued by accusations that he failed to protect the Israeli public from the massacres that occurred on Oct. 7, 2023.
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that → plague → Oct.
His opponents have mocked him for sleeping through the early hours of the attacks and highlighted claims from the United Arab Emirates that Emirati intelligence warned the Israeli government ahead of time.
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intelligence → mock → time
The Aporia
