Opposition Leader Benjamin Netanyahu accused Foreign Minister Yair Lapid of endangering Israel's security by pledging to keep the United States posted about any military actions Jerusalem could take against Iran ahead of time, allegations he denied.
"In a blink of an eye, de-facto prime minister Yair Lapid compromised the sacred principle of our security and independence," Netanyahu said at a meeting for his Likud party. "His commitment to a 'no surprises' policy with the United States against Iran is a telling blow to the core of our security."
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Foreign Minister Yair Lapid and Opposition Leader Benjamin Netanyahu
(Photo: Alex Kolomoisky)
"In my 15 years as prime minister of Israel was asked many times by the Americans to give such a commitment. I have always declined. Sometimes I updated them in advance about actions we intend to take, many times I did not. But I have never — never — I did not commit to notifying about all of our actions in advance, as such notice may invite pressure not to perform them, or leaks to the media that will foil our sensitive operations, and thereby deprive us of the freedom of action vis-à-vis Iran in existential matters.
"I did so only recently when this request was relayed to me by phone from President [Joe] Biden and his Secretary of Defense [Lloyd] Austin during his visit here. My answer was, 'we will your request into account" and nothing else. I explained that in matters related to our very existence, I maintain complete freedom of action in the hands of the State of Israel — without any need to report prior. It was also the official directive that I forwarded… to all security and government officials in Israel, so that we will have a uniform response to this request from the new administration in Washington."
Lapid later denied Netanyahu's allegations he had made such an agreement with the U.S.
The Yesh Atid chief "thanked" Netanyahu sarcastically for his "suggestions" and said that he and his government "will take it from here."