Qatar “bought” its way into Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, opposition leader MK Yair Lapid said during a speech at the annual conference of his Yesh Atid Party.
Lapid was alluding to the investigation into at least three current or former advisers who worked to improve Qatar’s image, including its role in the hostage negotiations during the war between Israel and Hamas. He also addressed Netanyahu’s attempt to fire Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) head Ronen Bar.
Lapid began his speech by responding to what he called “the violent, degrading, and dangerous response of Netanyahu and [Justice Minister] Yariv Levin.”
“Your threatening letters won’t help; this criminal language won’t intimidate us. The suspects won’t fire the investigators, and the government won’t threaten the Supreme Court. You accused our government of buying off the Muslim Brotherhood, and now it turns out the Muslim Brotherhood bought off your government – a foreign Arab state bought Netanyahu’s office,” Lapid said.
“This is what the Shin Bet needs to investigate, thoroughly and fearlessly. If you have a problem with the law – resign,” he added.
Lapid also argued that the government was ignoring a majority of Israelis on a number of issues, including wanting an election, wanting haredim (ultra-Orthodox) to join the IDF to lessen the reserve burden on the rest, wanting a state commission of inquiry into the October 7 massacre, and wanting the return of the remaining hostages.
Yesh Atid political strategy
“You don’t have a majority. All you have are remnants from the last elections that you constantly need to maintain and glue together with billions in political bribes. The only connection you have left with the people is that the people are paying all your bills,” Lapid said.
He called for the formation of the “second Change Government,” alluding to the government he formed alongside Naftali Bennett, which was in office between June 2021-December 2022.
“I’ve done it once before; I’ll know how to do it again,” Lapid said.
The party convened on Sunday evening in Tel Aviv for its annual conference. The event was attended by a thousand delegates, and its goal was to issue updates and discuss strategy, according to the party spokesperson.
MK Meir Cohen, who has led the party’s field work, spoke at the convention, as did MK Merav Ben-Ari, who is currently serving as opposition coordinator, responsible for managing opposition voting in the Knesset. Another speaker was Ruby Chen, father of captive soldier Itai Chen.
The delegates made two decisions during the conference. The first was that Yesh Atid reoffered a “security net” if necessary for the government to bring back the remaining hostages. The second was that the first law proposal by the party in the Knesset summer session will be to form a state commission of inquiry.
The conference was Yesh Atid’s third. The previous conference also included a vote over party leadership between Lapid and MK Ram Ben Barak, which Lapid won narrowly. He addressed that vote, expressing satisfaction that it did not lead to the creation of divisions within the party.
Yesh Atid won 24 seats in the 2022 election, and currently numbers 23 after MK Idan Roll seceded from the party in January. However, the party has deteriorated in polls in recent months, with most polls estimating its size as between 10-15 seats.