Netanyahu's cousin quits Likud, citing government failures
Professor Nathan Netanyahu ends decades of party support, pointing to the October 7 attack and judicial reforms as reasons for his departure.
By Fatou Kim ·
Nathan Netanyahu, a cousin of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a professor at Bar-Ilan University, announced on Tuesday evening that he is ending his long-term membership in the Likud party. In a letter posted on X, he stated he will not vote for the party in upcoming elections, citing a deep divide within Israeli society and the government's handling of the October 7 attacks.
The professor identified four specific failures that he believes have eroded public trust in the current administration. These include the judicial reform process, the security collapse on October 7, the government's support for its citizens, and the refusal to accept responsibility for these events. He argued that these factors have corrupted the governing culture and torn the nation apart.
Nathan described the judicial reform as a coup that concentrated power in the hands of the government while weakening checks and balances. He recalled warning about the danger to judicial independence in an April 2023 speech, noting that the debates on the reform completely divided the country. Senior security officials at the time had warned that the political unrest posed a security risk.
The letter heavily criticized the government's strategy of containing Hamas through financial transfers from Qatar and economic concessions. Nathan stated that this approach failed on October 7, when the Hamas-led attack killed approximately 1,200 civilians and security personnel. He noted that 251 people were taken captive to Gaza and that the war has since resulted in hundreds of additional deaths and tens of thousands of injuries.
He also highlighted the government's handling of domestic issues, arguing that it violated the social contract by struggling with education, health, and transportation. Nathan pointed to the Haredi draft exemption policy as a source of inequality, noting that reservists have fought and died while the government allocates large sums to ultra-Orthodox parties to maintain its coalition.
A major point of contention is the lack of a national commission of inquiry into the October 7 attack. Nathan questioned why no such committee has been established more than three years after the massacre, despite widespread public support for one. He argued that accountability is required regardless of criminal guilt and that the current leadership has shifted responsibility to others.
In concluding his letter, Nathan invoked a quote from the prophet Amos to summarize his decision. He said he would consider renewing his party membership only when a new leadership is elected that is not associated with these specific shortcomings. The announcement marks a notable break from the party by a member of the Netanyahu family who has been a long-time supporter.
