A group of senior Israeli figures, including former national security officials, academics, and business leaders, have sent a scathing letter to US congressional leadership, accusing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of jeopardizing Israeli and American national security.
The letter describes Netanyahu as an 'existential threat' and criticizes him for being more concerned with his political survival than the well-being of the country. It also blames him for failing to defeat Hamas in the Gaza war and highlights his ongoing legal troubles, including bribery and fraud charges.
The signatories of the letter, which was sent to key US congressional leaders, include five former senior officials from the Mossad intelligence service, two former heads of the Israeli military, and a range of other former military, security, diplomatic, legal, and business officials. Nobel laureate Aaron Ciechanover and former university presidents are among the signatories.
The letter accuses Netanyahu of inciting division among Israelis, damaging the country's social fabric, weakening defense capabilities, harming the economy, and tarnishing Israel's international reputation. It also suggests that Netanyahu's actions are detrimental to US national security interests and impact American policy in the Middle East and beyond.
Former Mossad director Tamir Pardo, who is one of the signatories, had previously called on Congress to rescind Netanyahu's invitation to speak. A similar letter was also sent in January to Israel's president and speaker of parliament, urging for Netanyahu's removal from office.
