Lapid: Netanyahu has become a “Stain of Shame” for Israel worldwide

The sharp remarks came after Israeli Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, in a controversial move, took Raúl Latorre, the speaker of Paraguay’s parliament, to meet Netanyahu at the Tel Aviv District Court, where Netanyahu is standing trial on corruption charges.

Ahead of the hearing, the court judges rejected Netanyahu’s request to be excused from attending Monday’s session, agreeing only to shorten the duration of his appearance. Netanyahu had cited meetings with foreign officials as the reason for his request.

Videos circulating from the courthouse show Netanyahu shaking hands with the speaker of Paraguay’s parliament inside the courtroom.

According to reports, the Israeli prime minister is facing three serious corruption cases that, if proven, could result in a lengthy prison sentence. He has also submitted a request for a pardon to the president of the regime, Isaac Herzog, but has yet to receive an official response.

In a post on the social media platform X, Lapid wrote: “Instead of taking the speaker of Paraguay’s parliament to Nir Oz [near the Gaza Strip, which was targeted in the October 7 attack], they took him to the courtroom… This is disgraceful.”

He added: “When I said Ohana is the speaker of only half the Knesset, he was offended. This is exactly what it means to be the speaker of half the Knesset. Why drag Latorre into the prime minister’s corruption trial?”

Lapid concluded by stressing once again that Netanyahu has become a stain on Israel’s reputation worldwide.