Israeli opposition lawmaker Gilad Kariv has demanded Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's removal from office, describing it as an "existential need for Israeli society."
In a statement on X, The Democrats party member criticised Netanyahu's response to the military's ongoing investigations into the events of October 7, 2023.
"Just as Netanyahu avoided visiting the kibbutzim in the area surrounding Gaza for months after October 7, he is also avoiding dealing with the Israeli army's investigations into everything that happened on October 7," said Kariv.
He accused Netanyahu of repeatedly "abandoning" Israel's security and displaying "complete incompetence" in managing national defence.
"Such a person must not be allowed to make any decisions about our future and the future of our children," he said, adding that Netanyahu's removal as prime minister is an "existential need for Israeli society."
Calls for state commission
Opposition parties and broad sections of the Israeli public have repeatedly demanded a formal state commission of inquiry into the failures surrounding the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, but Netanyahu's government has rejected the independent mechanism, favouring a politically appointed panel instead.
The political dispute intensifies as Knesset elections approach on October 27, with Netanyahu and his right-wing Likud party continuing to lose ground in opinion polls.
Netanyahu also remains on trial on domestic corruption charges and faces an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court over accusations of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel's genocidal war in Gaza has killed more than 73,000 people since October 2023, with attacks continuing despite a US-sponsored ceasefire agreement.
