Illouz to ‘Post’: Netanyahu must pay political price for October 7 - interview

Former Likud MK and Yisrael Beytenu candidate Dan Illouz has suggested that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu must face political consequences for his handling of the October 7 terrorist attack. In an interview with The Jerusalem Post, Illouz argued that failing to impose accountability would undermine Israel's future and create incentives to avoid responsibility.

He called for the next government to not be led by Netanyahu and emphasized the need for the next coalition to be formed by a different leader. Illouz's departure from Likud came after he grew disillusioned with the party's policies and found himself at odds with many of its lawmakers. He joined Yisrael Beytenu after feeling that Likud had become more focused on protecting interest groups than advancing free markets, strong defense, and military service for all.

Illouz expressed particular concern about the lack of action on military service integration for haredi men, which he argued was a pressing issue that needed to be addressed. He was also critical of Netanyahu's failure to establish a state commission of inquiry into the October 7 attack, which he believed reflected an attempt to avoid accountability.