Lapid, Gantz on censored leaked documents scandal: PM responsible for what happens in his office

Opposition chairman Yair Lapid weighs in on the leaked documents scandal involving the Prime Minister’s Office, whose details have been barred from publication.

“Netanyahu is already trying, as usual, to distance himself from the affair and to place responsibility on others, but the facts show the opposite: he is personally responsible for every paper, word, or piece of information that comes out of his office,” Lapid tweets.

“We have tough enemies abroad, but the danger from within and at the most sensitive decision-making centers shakes the foundations of the confidence of the citizens of Israel in the prosecution of the war, and in handling the most sensitive and explosive security issues,” he adds.

National Unity chair Benny Gantz also chimes in, tweeting, “Without going into the details of the case under investigation concerning activity in the Prime Minister’s Office, it is important to emphasize one thing: the Prime Minister is the one responsible for what is done in his office. For better or for worse.”

Netanyahu’s office hits back, insisting that there have been no leaks from his office, while there were dozens of leaks published in the media about the hostage negotiations, which were harmful to the premier, and none of those were investigated.

“It was not for nothing that Prime Minister Netanyahu demanded the immediate removal of the gag order over the investigation. The ongoing obfuscation is intended to tarnish his office.”

A court hearing on petitions against the gag order over the probe into the leaked document scandal is scheduled for Sunday.