Israel opposition warns of ‘political murder,’ blames Netanyahu for fueling violence

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid warned on Sunday of the potential for “political murder” within Israel, accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of inciting violence, according to Israeli media reports.

“We are exposed to political murder from within, and Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar is at the top of the list of those receiving (assassination) threats,” Lapid said, as reported by Israel Hayom newspaper.

The bar has been at the center of a political storm since the Israeli government decided to dismiss him on March 20. However, the Supreme Court later suspended the dismissal decision pending a review of legal petitions filed by the opposition.

Lapid criticized Bar’s leadership, asserting that the Shin Bet chief should have resigned following the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack, which took Israeli forces by surprise. “He should have stepped down after October 7 due to his failure,” Lapid stated.

Lapid also warned that “Israel is heading toward another disaster”—one driven by internal incitement. “The next disaster (following the Oct. 7 Hamas attack) will be caused by this reckless incitement. We must confront these calls for violence and silence those who promote them. We are in a dark and dangerous place,” he added.

The opposition leader accused Netanyahu, who has led the government since before the October 2023 attack, of fueling the incitement. He called on the prime minister to silence his Cabinet ministers and media allies, saying: “Silence your ministers and the mouthpieces you employ in the media.”

Lapid also urged Netanyahu to support Shin Bet rather than exacerbating internal divisions, saying, “Instead of backing incitement, back the Shin Bet.”

These tensions come amid a brutal Israeli offensive in Gaza, which has resulted in the deaths of more than 51,200 Palestinians since October 2023, most of whom are women and children.

In recent weeks, nearly 150,000 Israelis have signed petitions demanding the return of hostages from Gaza, even if it means ending the ongoing war with the enclave.

Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity related to Gaza.

Israel is also facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in Gaza.