Opposition leader Lapid: “No Reason to Panic” After Netanyahu Warns of Possible Pre-Election Attack

Opposition Leader Yair Lapid said Tuesday night that there was “no reason to put the public into a state of panic” following a security briefing with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, after the prime minister warned earlier in the day that Israel’s enemies may attempt to attack the country ahead of the upcoming election.

“Security threats must be handled professionally and responsibly,” Lapid said after the meeting, which lasted approximately 30 minutes. “Israel’s security and IDF bases are not props for election videos. Without going into details, the IDF, Shin Bet and police are prepared for the elections, and there is no reason to put the public into a state of panic.”

Lapid also raised the IDF’s manpower shortage, referring to warnings by the military leadership regarding the shortage and strain on the reserve system.

“If Netanyahu is so concerned about the security situation, he should enlist the 15,000 Haredim that the IDF is missing,” Lapid said.

Netanyahu: “Our Enemies May Try to Attack Before the Election”

Several hours before the briefing with Lapid, Netanyahu issued an unusually pointed warning during a visit to the Tel Nof Air Force Base.

The prime minister said Israel had received “indications” that its enemies may attempt to attack the country in the period leading up to the election.

Netanyahu also warned Israel’s adversaries that the country would respond wherever necessary, saying that Israel’s “long arm” could reach its enemies “anywhere and at any time.”

The prime minister did not publicly identify which adversaries he was referring to or disclose the nature of the intelligence behind the warning.

Security Establishment: No Specific Immediate Threat Identified

Despite Netanyahu’s remarks, reports citing Israeli security officials indicated that the defense establishment had not identified a specific or immediate threat requiring a change in the country’s security posture.

Israeli security agencies have nevertheless maintained heightened vigilance because of the broader regional situation and are preparing for a range of possible scenarios.

The distinction is significant: the absence of a specific immediate warning does not mean that Israeli security agencies are not preparing for possible attacks. Intelligence assessments are continuously updated, and contingency plans are maintained across several fronts.

Prime Minister’s Office: Lapid Received Detailed Intelligence Briefing

The Prime Minister’s Office said after the meeting that Netanyahu had briefed Lapid together with the prime minister’s military secretary and the intelligence officer of the Military Secretariat.

According to the PMO, the briefing included detailed intelligence concerning possible attacks on several fronts ahead of the election.

The office did not release further details, citing the classified nature of the information.

The exchange subsequently became part of the political dispute, with Likud accusing Lapid of preparing his response before the briefing was completed. The party pointed to the fact that Lapid left the meeting at 11:39 p.m. and released his statement only two minutes later.

Lapid Calls for Broader Security Coordination

Lapid said he had asked Netanyahu to convene a broader meeting involving the prime minister, the opposition leader, the head of the Shin Bet and the chairman of the Central Elections Committee.

According to Lapid, the purpose would be to ensure that the relevant authorities are fully coordinated ahead of the election and that security considerations remain separate from political campaigning.

Earlier, Lapid and former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot had also discussed the security situation and preparations for the election.

Election Security Becomes a Political Flashpoint

The timing of Netanyahu’s warning has added a sensitive political dimension to the issue, with the election only weeks away.

The opposition has demanded that any genuine security warning be handled through the established security institutions and not become part of the political campaign.

Netanyahu and the Likud, meanwhile, maintain that the prime minister’s warning was based on genuine intelligence and that the information was subsequently presented to Lapid.

The disagreement therefore centers not only on the potential threat itself, but also on the question of how security warnings should be communicated to the public during an election campaign.

Israel Remains on Alert

Israeli security forces are continuing to monitor developments across several fronts. At the same time, no change in public Home Front Command instructions has been announced.

For now, the publicly reported picture is one of continued security vigilance rather than an officially declared imminent attack.

The central question is whether the intelligence cited by Netanyahu represents a concrete change in the threat assessment or a warning regarding a broader range of possible scenarios.

The election remains scheduled for October 27, with the security establishment preparing for potential attempts to disrupt the electoral process.