Netanyahu says Iran may attack Israel on the eve of the Knesset elections

Netanyahu's statement on the eve of the elections

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a Sunday video address that, according to intelligence available to him, Iran and its proxy forces may attempt to attack Israel in order to disrupt the parliamentary elections. “We have intelligence that Iran and its proxy forces may attempt to attack us in order to disrupt the elections,” he said. According to the prime minister, the military is prepared for both defensive and offensive operations, and in the event of an attack Israel will strike back at Iran and its allies. “They will be hit with strikes more powerful than you can imagine — disproportionate strikes,” Netanyahu warned.

The military leadership's position and context

On Friday, Israel Defense Forces Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir said that ahead of the elections there is not yet an operational need to resume strikes on Iran, but if a strike is deemed necessary, the military will carry it out. Israel has raised its level of combat readiness ahead of the Knesset elections scheduled for October 27, the results of which will determine the country's next government. Netanyahu's statement came against the backdrop of reports of the phased evacuation of American military and diplomatic personnel from the Middle East.

Why it matters

The October 27 elections will determine the composition of Israel's next government, and the statements by the prime minister and the chief of staff show that the question of a possible Iranian attack has become part of the election agenda. For residents of the region and for American military personnel and diplomats there, the practical consequences are the elevated combat readiness of the Israeli military and, according to published reports, the evacuation of US personnel. At the same time, the nature of the intelligence Netanyahu cites and its reliability remain unconfirmed by independent sources.