Opposition leaders attack Likud primary results, citing October 7 and 'haredi-lite' influence

Opposition leaders in Israel have seized upon the Likud party's primary election results, framing them as campaign ammunition and launching sharp criticisms. Their attacks target the party's perceived responsibility for the October 7 attacks, its growing "haredi-lite" influence, a supposed loss of statesmanship, and the composition of its electoral slate.

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No celebratory announcement or 'victory' parties will hide that these are the same people who were part of the leadership that brought Israel to disaster.

Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar party, issued one of the most direct condemnations, dubbing the Likud's candidate list the "October 7 list." He asserted that no celebratory announcements could obscure the fact that these were the same individuals he claims were part of a leadership that led Israel to disaster. Eisenkot also pointed to "five members of the failure cabinet" present on the eve of the war and accused Likud members of enabling mass draft evasion during wartime. He concluded by appealing directly to disillusioned Likud voters, inviting them to find a "home" with Yashar if they are "tired of leadership built on lies and corruption."

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To Likudniks who have had enough of leadership built on lies and corruption, I want to say: You have a home.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid focused on the broader character of the Likud party. He expressed a sense of loss for the past era of political discourse, even missing what he termed "hypocrisy" when rivals at least maintained basic standards. Lapid linked the current slate to October 7, corruption, "disgraceful surrender to the haredim," and an attempt "to trample democracy." He argued that the Likud needs a "break from power" and should spend "at least four years" in opposition.

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No more. Who am I supposed to call? Silman? Karhi? I don't have any friends left there.

Yisrael Beytenu chairman Avigdor Liberman concentrated his criticism on haredi influence and the draft issue. He declared, "It is clearer than ever: Likud = a haredi-lite party! A real Likudnik votes only Liberman." Liberman elaborated in an interview that the Likud is now "haredi-lite" and that the election results were decided by haredi groups who do not vote for Likud in Knesset elections. He directly linked this to what he alleged was Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's strategy.

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It is clearer than ever: Likud = a haredi-lite party! A real Likudnik votes only Liberman.