Likud Split: PM's cousin drops party over Oct. 7 failures

Nathan Netanyahu, a professor at Bar-Ilan University and a long-time member of the Likud party, announced on Tuesday evening that he is terminating his membership in the movement. He is the cousin of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The announcement came in a letter published on the social media platform X, marking a break with the party that has dominated Israeli politics for decades.

In the letter, Nathan Netanyahu stated that he will not vote for Likud in upcoming elections. He argued that the party has abandoned its original values. He further claimed that party leaders have inflicted a deep national rift on the country. The professor identified four specific failures in the moral and public sphere that he believes render the government unworthy of public trust.

The first accusation concerns the judicial reform process. Nathan Netanyahu described the changes as a coup d'etat. He noted that he had warned of the danger to judicial independence in an April 2023 speech. He stated that the debate over the reform tore society apart and shattered national cohesion. He added that senior security officials had warned of the security dangers posed by the internal division.

The second major grievance is the October 7 attack. The professor noted that the massacre occurred during the current government's four-year term. He cited the death of some 1,200 civilians and security forces as the worst disaster since Israel's founding. He said 251 people were kidnapped to Gaza and that towns were occupied. He argued that the policy of containing Hamas through economic concessions failed, allowing the organization to grow stronger.

The third point addresses the government's support for its citizens. Nathan Netanyahu claimed the state violated its covenant with the public. He pointed to incompetence in education, health, and transportation. He argued that citizens and volunteers had to fill the governmental vacuum after the disaster. He also criticized the continued promotion of draft exemptions for ultra-Orthodox men while reservists served in the war.

The final accusation is the refusal to bear responsibility. The professor highlighted the lack of a state commission of inquiry into October 7. He asked why such a committee has not been established more than three years after the massacre. He argued that government responsibility requires accountability to the public, regardless of criminal guilt.

Nathan Netanyahu referenced the prophet Amos in his conclusion. He wrote, "For three crimes of the Israeli government, and for four I will not choose them!" He said he would consider renewing his membership only if a new leadership is elected that is not tainted by these shortcomings.

The letter asks readers to consider whether those responsible for the national rift are capable of repairing it. It frames the decision as a response to a loss of public trust. The professor said the war has exacted a terrible price of dead and wounded, with no clear end in sight. He stated that Israel's international standing has declined and its propaganda has failed in the battle for global public opinion.

The announcement adds a new layer to the internal dynamics of the governing coalition. It comes at a time when the party is preparing for future elections. The letter serves as a public statement of dissent from a figure with direct familial ties to the prime minister.