Hitting back at Lapid, Netanyahu says he spent 40 years warning of Iranian threat but was always ‘met with ridicule’

After a scathing speech by Opposition Leader Yair Lapid, in which he accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of letting threats from Hamas and Iran grow unchecked, the premier returns to the Knesset podium, and says that Lapid called for Israel to leave Gaza in November, 2024.

“You dare speak about the Iranian threat?” he continues. “For years, 40 years, including when I was in the government, and prime minister, I warned and fought against this threat. And I tried to enlist everyone, the coalition and the opposition.”

“And I was met with ridicule,” he says.

“I was always met with documented opposition, and public opposition,” says Netanyahu.

“The threats have not ended. They are licking their wounds,” he warns.

“We must limit the internal fights,” says Netanyahu in a return to the theme of unity.