(JNS) Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid said on Wednesday that he plans to boycott the traditional torch-lighting ceremony marking the transition from Memorial Day to Independence Day celebrations.
In a message to Transportation Minister Miri Regev, Lapid accused the current government of “dismantling democracy” amid a fierce debate over its judicial reform initiative.
“I love the country with all my heart, but in three months you tore apart Israeli society and no fake fireworks show will cover that up. If the unity of the people was so important to you, you would not dismantle our democracy and you would go to work for the citizens of Israel,” Lapid said.
Lapid is the head of Yesh Atid, the second-largest party in the Knesset after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud. He preceded Netanyahu during a brief stint as prime minister before Netanyahu’s coalition picked up a Knesset majority in November’s parliamentary elections.
