Israel Defence Minister Says Government Needs No Opposition Approval for Military Strikes

Israeli caretaker Defence Minister Israel Katz stated on Thursday that the outgoing government does not need permission from the opposition to launch fresh military strikes. Mr. Katz posted on X that authorities do not require approval from political opponents or legal bodies for the army to act in active operational arenas. The statement comes after opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot urged caretaker Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to exercise restraint. Mr. Eisenkot warned that using military force without an immediate and direct threat could lead to disastrous outcomes for Israeli citizens and local democracy. Mr. Eisenkot, who currently holds a mandate to try and form a new government following elections last month where neither major bloc won a majority, previously accused Mr. Netanyahu of refusing to brief him on security matters. Avigdor Liberman, a key member of Mr. Eisenkot's political bloc and head of a parliamentary committee, also criticized the caretaker administration. Mr. Liberman warned that a caretaker government lacks the authority to make decisions that could pull the nation into war without proper parliamentary oversight and full consensus from security agencies. In response, Mr. Netanyahu's office accused Mr. Eisenkot of politicizing national security issues. Meanwhile, Mr. Netanyahu and Mr. Eisenkot agreed to hold a security briefing at the Prime Minister's office, attended by military aides.

Context

Caretaker governments in parliamentary systems typically handle routine administration while a new coalition is being formed, raising legal and political debates over whether major military actions require broader consensus. Israel has recently engaged in major military campaigns involving Iran, while political leaders negotiate government formation ahead of upcoming deadlines.