Tel Aviv, Israel – Yossi Beilin, Israel’s justice minister from 1999 to 2001, has sharply criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s leadership, accusing him of making “huge mistakes,” including inviting far-right “lunatics” into his government and pushing for the collapse of the Iran nuclear deal.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Beilin expressed deep concern over Netanyahu’s political alliances, stating that extremist factions in the current government do not reflect mainstream Israeli opinion.
“They should’ve never been part of the government. They represent a small proportion of Israeli public opinion. It’s very problematic,” Beilin said.
Netanyahu’s “Mistake” on Iran Nuclear Deal
Beilin also blamed Netanyahu for encouraging former U.S. President Donald Trump to withdraw from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the nuclear agreement between Iran and world powers.
“Netanyahu has made huge mistakes in the last years, and one of them was convincing Trump to withdraw from the agreement with Iran,” Beilin said.
Despite his criticism, Beilin emphasized that Iran remains a significant security threat to Israel.
“The Iranian threat is a real threat,” he said. “In the past, we were friendly countries. Since 1979, we became the devil for whatever reason—because they hate the Jews and they want us to disappear. They don’t want to negotiate with us. This is the view of an enemy that you cannot tolerate. We cannot accept the situation in Iran.”
Growing Tensions Between Israel and Iran
Beilin’s remarks come amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, particularly over Tehran’s nuclear program and its support for regional militant groups. Israel has repeatedly warned against a nuclear-armed Iran, while Iranian leaders have called for Israel’s destruction.
Netanyahu’s government has taken a hardline stance against Iran, including alleged covert operations targeting Iranian nuclear scientists and facilities. However, critics argue that the collapse of the JCPOA has allowed Iran to accelerate its uranium enrichment program.
Domestic Backlash Against Netanyahu’s Coalition
Beilin’s criticism also reflects broader discontent within Israel over Netanyahu’s coalition, which includes far-right ministers like National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. Their controversial policies on Palestinian issues and judicial reforms have sparked mass protests and international condemnation.
As Israel faces internal divisions and external threats, Beilin’s comments underscore the challenges ahead for Netanyahu’s government—both in managing domestic unrest and confronting Iran’s regional ambitions.