The Likud party, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has reportedly adopted a campaign strategy that shifts blame for the October 7 attacks onto Israel’s defense establishment. According to The Times of Israel, the party is framing the events of that day as a 'betrayal,' a narrative that has become a central pillar of their current election messaging.

This shift in rhetoric has drawn sharp criticism from those who argue that the government is attempting to avoid accountability for the security failures that occurred under its watch. The Times of Israel characterizes these claims as a 'despicable conspiracy theory,' suggesting that the administration is prioritizing political survival over transparency regarding the military and intelligence lapses that preceded the conflict. By labeling the defense establishment’s actions as a betrayal, the campaign appears to be positioning the Prime Minister as a victim of institutional failure rather than the leader responsible for the state’s security apparatus.

While the Likud party has not publicly detailed the specific evidence supporting these claims, the report indicates that this messaging is intended to resonate with voters by providing a clear target for public anger. The debate highlights a deep divide in Israeli politics regarding who bears the ultimate responsibility for the October 7 attacks: the political leadership or the security and intelligence agencies tasked with protecting the border.