With Israelis due to choose a new Knesset on Tuesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu centered Iran in his final campaign pitch, arguing that removing Iran’s leadership was necessary to protect Israel’s future.
In a Channel 14 interview, Netanyahu also claimed challenger Gadi Eisenkot would not strike Iran. The remarks came as the campaign debate focused on Israel’s security record and the risk of escalation with Tehran.
Channel 12, also known as N12, reported that Netanyahu’s political leadership gave the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) an unspecified directive for an action that could lead to a confrontation with Iran. Citing unnamed sources, N12 said IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir requested an in-depth discussion and asked political leaders to provide legal documentation bearing their signatures before any action. The report did not identify what action was contemplated.
Netanyahu denied a dispute with Zamir during the Channel 14 interview, saying, “There is no confrontation.” Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a statement posted on X that Israel had no intention of initiating an attack on Iran before the vote. He warned that Israel would respond forcefully if Iran attacked first.
In a follow-up, N12 reported that security officials saw no immediate need for action before the election and favored discussing timing with the United States afterward. The outlet’s reports rely on unnamed sources, and the proposed action was not specified.
Eisenkot, a former IDF chief of staff, accused Netanyahu of putting political interests ahead of national security and voiced confidence in Zamir in posts on X. The Hamas-led attack of Oct. 7, 2023, remains a central issue in the election. Netanyahu’s opponents have pointed to failures surrounding the attack, while his supporters cite Israel’s military campaigns since then. The debate echoes earlier scrutiny of Netanyahu’s security record ahead of the vote.
Israel’s Central Elections Committee lists Oct. 27 as election day for the 26th Knesset and Nov. 4 as the scheduled date for publication of the results.
