JERUSALEM, Israel – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing accusations that he sought to escalate military action against Iran in the final days before Tuesday’s election, amid reports of a confrontation with the country’s military chief and renewed warnings about a potential nuclear threat.
The controversy centres on reports by Israel’s Channel 12 that Netanyahu and Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir clashed over a directive concerning possible action against Iran. According to the broadcaster, military officials feared the proposed action could trigger a rapid escalation shortly before Israelis went to the polls.
Netanyahu’s office dismissed the report as “fake news”, while Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israel had no intention of initiating an attack on Iran before the election. Katz nevertheless warned that Israel would respond forcefully if attacked.
The allegations have placed national security at the centre of the closing stages of a closely watched election, with opposition figures questioning whether the prime minister’s handling of the Iran threat is being influenced by domestic political considerations.
AI-Generated Nuclear Image Fuels Election Controversy
The dispute intensified after Netanyahu shared an AI-generated image depicting a nuclear explosion over Tel Aviv, accompanied by a warning about the consequences of Iran acquiring nuclear weapons.
The post, published two days before the election, drew criticism from opposition leaders who accused him of using fear to influence voters. Netanyahu has consistently presented Iran’s nuclear and missile programmes as an existential threat to Israel.
The imagery also raised questions about the contrast between his current warnings and earlier statements portraying Israeli and American military operations as having inflicted major damage on Iran’s nuclear and missile capabilities.
Netanyahu’s opponents argue that the threat should be addressed through established security institutions rather than used as a defining argument in the election campaign.
CNN Report Says Netanyahu Sought Trump’s Support
A separate CNN report said Netanyahu had tried to persuade US President Donald Trump to support renewed military action against Iran before the Israeli election. The report cited US officials and an Israeli security source. The prime minister’s office denied the account.
Trump has publicly endorsed Netanyahu, urging Israeli voters to support him and arguing that the two leaders should complete their campaign against Iran.
However, the White House said the United States would not attack Iran before the November 3 US midterm elections, despite continuing pressure and preparations relating to the conflict.
The developments have added an international dimension to Israel’s election, with Washington’s position potentially affecting calculations over whether and when military operations could resume.
Opposition Challenges Netanyahu’s Use of Security Threats
Gadi Eisenkot, a former military chief and Netanyahu’s principal opposition challenger, criticised the reported directive and expressed support for Zamir.
Eisenkot warned against turning the military into an instrument of political survival, arguing that decisions involving national security must remain grounded in professional assessments rather than electoral considerations.
Other opposition figures have also called for scrutiny of the reports. Avigdor Lieberman, leader of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, asked the attorney general to investigate the allegations surrounding the reported push for military action.
The Israeli military, meanwhile, has said its decisions are guided by security and professional considerations. The precise nature of the directive described by Channel 12 has not been publicly detailed.
Election Poses Questions Over Netanyahu’s Political Future
Israel’s October 27 election is the country’s first national vote since the Hamas-led attacks of October 7, 2023, and the ensuing wars in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran.
Netanyahu’s record on security, including the failures surrounding the October 7 attacks, has become a central issue. His supporters credit him with pursuing an aggressive strategy against Israel’s regional adversaries, while critics say he has avoided accountability for the security breakdown and prolonged regional conflicts.
Recent polls have pointed to a difficult contest for Netanyahu’s Likud party and its coalition partners. However, the opposition is fragmented, and projections have not established a clear path for either major bloc to secure the 61 seats needed for a parliamentary majority.
