Netanyahu accuses Lapid of ‘refusing to accept’ losing the election

Incoming prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu accuses outgoing Prime Minister Yair Lapid of not respecting the results of the November 1 election.

“Lapid, losing the election is not the end of democracy, it is the essence of democracy. You refuse to accept the people’s decision,” Netanyahu says in a video message.

Netanyahu’s comments come shortly after Lapid accused Netanyahu’s incoming right-religious government of “looting” democratic values and preparing to infringe upon minority rights.

“You are inciting the public against the people’s decision, you spread endless lies against the elected government. What will be your next step? Send your protesters to climb the Knesset fences?” Netanyahu continues.

Netanyahu calls on Lapid “to behave responsibly, to accept the people’s decision, and to transfer power in an orderly manner so that we can fix everything you have destroyed in the last year and a half.”