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// DOSSIER — israeli-opposition-condemn-netanyahu-syria-airbase-strike
Israeli Opposition and Former Officials Condemn Netanyahu Over Syria Airbase Strike
REL_TIME: 22 Aug 2026 19:12Z · LANG: EN
Israeli opposition leader Yair Golan, former Prime Minister Ehud Barak, and former Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon have sharply criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following Israeli airstrikes on Syria's Abu al-Duhur Military Airbase. The critics accuse Netanyahu of deliberately escalating regional tensions—particularly with Türkiye and the United States—to ensure his political survival and evade accountability for the October 7 Hamas attacks. Concurrently, Israel continues military operations in southern Lebanon amidst ongoing US-led border negotiations, while domestic political speculation rises regarding Netanyahu potentially reserving a Likud party slot for his son, Yair.
// Background
The criticisms come amid a highly volatile regional landscape. Israel launched a large-scale offensive in Lebanon on March 2, 2026, leading to ongoing hostilities and US-led border negotiations. Domestically, Netanyahu faces intense pressure over the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks, with critics accusing him of prolonging conflicts to avoid a state commission of inquiry. Additionally, the Likud party is navigating internal friction following its primaries as Netanyahu decides how to allocate reserved spots on the party's electoral list.
// Key Developments
- Israeli warplanes launched eight airstrikes targeting the runway of the Abu al-Duhur Military Airbase in Syria's Idlib province.
- Opposition leader Yair Golan labeled the Syria strike 'provocative and dangerous,' warning it alienates allies and risks confrontation with Türkiye.
- Former PM Ehud Barak and former DM Moshe Yaalon accused Netanyahu of reckless escalation to avoid a state commission of inquiry into the October 7 attacks.
- Syria formally protested the airstrikes to the United Nations, warning they risk further regional escalation.
- The strikes occurred alongside ongoing Israeli military actions in southern Lebanon and US-led border negotiations.
- Separately, former Netanyahu spokesman Nir Hefetz predicted Netanyahu might reserve a Likud slate spot for his son, Yair.
// Timeline
-
Israel launches a large-scale offensive on Lebanon, initiating ongoing border hostilities.
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Israeli warplanes conduct eight airstrikes on the runway of the Abu al-Duhur Military Airbase in Syria's Idlib province.
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Former spokesman Nir Hefetz publicly predicts Netanyahu may reserve a Likud slot for his son Yair.
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Israeli opposition figures Golan, Barak, and Yaalon issue strong public condemnations of Netanyahu's Syria strikes and regional strategy.
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Israeli warplanes and artillery strike multiple locations in southern Lebanon amid ongoing border talks.
// Perspectives
[Yair Golan (Opposition Leader)]
Condemns the Syria strike as a dangerous, politically motivated provocation that erodes trust with allies and risks war with Türkiye.
[Ehud Barak (Former Prime Minister)]
Criticizes Netanyahu's escalation with Türkiye as reckless, arguing tensions could be resolved through discreet diplomatic channels.
[Moshe Yaalon (Former Defense Minister)]
Accuses Netanyahu of deliberately keeping war fronts open to avoid a state commission of inquiry into the October 7 failures.
[Syrian Government]
Protested the strikes to the UN, warning that Israeli incursions hamper stabilization efforts and fuel regional tensions.
[Nir Hefetz (Former Netanyahu Spokesman)]
Believes the Likud primary slate will fail to attract undecided voters and predicts Netanyahu may reserve a slot for his son Yair.
// Quotes
“Once again, military force is being employed for political considerations, and once again Israel pays the price in security.”
“Turkey is not Iran or Assad's Syria. There is no strategic problem vis-à-vis Turkey that cannot be resolved, mitigated, or deferred to the long term through discreet contacts coordinated with the United States and its influence in Turkey and Syria,”
“Netanyahu has completely gone off the rails... no longer engaged with Israel's security, but rather with survival manipulations of a compulsive gambler.”
“This is a guess. Somewhere around the 15th spot, you will see a very, very 'attractive' figure whose name also happens to be Netanyahu.”
