Netanyahu was the leader of the opposition from January 16, 2006, to April 6, 2009, when Kadima led the government and the Likud was in opposition.
Lapid compared the security situation now with the 18 months the previous government was in power.
MIDDLE ISRAEL: Throughout his career the Prime Minister did not appreciate the consensus as a national aim, and sometimes actively derailed it.
The prime minister lost control of his government, opposition head Yair Lapid charged.
The prime minister said returning to support his constituents after the attack would be a "surrender to terrorism."
Some people have been heard saying that Netanyahu views himself as a modern-day Moses and that he aspires to leave an extraordinary political and economic heritage behind him.
Netanyahu's disdain for protesters points to the sad fact that his government is deaf to any criticism.
Israel finances the expenses of the official residence in Jerusalem, as well as a prime minister's private residence if it's outside the city, according to Israeli law.