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Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday of “laying the groundwork” for a war that could postpone Israel’s general election scheduled for Oct. 27.
“Netanyahu is preparing the infrastructure to go to war in a way that would postpone the elections,” Barak told Israel’s Channel 12.
His comments came less than a month before the vote amid growing domestic debate over the use of security issues in the election campaign.
Barak sharply criticized Netanyahu, accusing him of lying and recalling a previous statement by the prime minister that “the life of a nation is not a path to personal survival for the prime minister.”
He also said Netanyahu “lies as he breathes, as he eats French fries, and as he leaves a restaurant without paying.”
“We must do everything to remove him from power on Oct. 27, once and for all,” Barak said.
Netanyahu, who has fallen behind in public opinion polls, said earlier this week that Israel could face an external attack before the election and that there were indications of preparations for such an attack.
He did not identify who might be behind it. Opposition figures described the warning as a “political maneuver.”
Netanyahu also held consultations with senior security officials over developments on several fronts.
Netanyahu has threatened retaliation against anyone found responsible for the Sept. 30 incident involving FlyDubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
He said an investigation was underway to determine whether the perpetrator had acted on instructions from another party, adding that “whoever sent him will pay a very heavy price.”
The incident has become part of the election debate, with Netanyahu’s opponents accusing him of using security issues to strengthen his position in the campaign.
Barak’s comments came as Israeli military operations continue in the Gaza Strip, Lebanon and Syria.
In August, he similarly accused Netanyahu of seeking to reach Election Day amid heightened security tensions and public fear, arguing that escalation on some regional fronts was linked to electoral considerations.
The Oct. 27 election will be Israel’s first general vote since the events of Oct. 7, 2023.
Opposition parties have stepped up coordination ahead of the election in an effort to replace Netanyahu’s government through the ballot box.
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