Lapid and Likud respond to Gantz's call for elections in September

Opposition Leader Yair Lapid and the Likud party both responded tonight (Wednesday) to State Camp party leader and war cabinet minister Benny Gantz's call for a consensus date for new elections in September.

Lapid said that "the State of Israel cannot wait another half a year until the worst, most dangerous, and failed government in the history of the state goes home. This government needs to go home as soon as possible so we can bring back the hostages, return the evacuees to their homes, defeat Hamas, and make sure someone's taking care of the Israeli middle class."

Meanwhile the Likud also issued a statement: "In a fateful moment for the State of Israel and in the midst of war, Benny Gantz must stop dealing in petty politics just because of the breakup of his party," a reference to Gideon Sa'ar's faction splitting from State Camp and forming the New Right party.

"Elections now will necessarily bring paralysis, division, damage to fighting in Rafah, and mortal harm to the odds of a hostage deal."

They finished with "the government will continue until all the goals of the war are achieved."