"Baseless and False": Israel Denies Rift Over Iran Strike Plans
Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz denies reports of a clash between PM Netanyahu and IDF chief over military action against Iran before elections.
In a high-stakes denial coming just 24 hours before a critical election, Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz has dismissed reports of a confrontation between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, regarding potential military action against Iran.
The controversy erupted following reports from local media suggesting a deep divide between the country's political leadership and its military brass over the timing and nature of operations targeting Iran.
The Denial from the Top
Addressing the claims, Defence Minister Israel Katz issued a firm statement declaring that the reports of disagreements are "completely baseless and false." Katz emphasized that Israel had no intention of initiating an attack on Iran prior to the upcoming elections.
"I state unequivocally that Israel had no intention of initiating an attack on Iran before the elections in Israel, while making clear that if Iran attacks Israel, we will respond with great force," Katz asserted.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also weighed in during an interview with Channel 14, where he dismissed the allegations as "nonsense." This comes despite the Prime Minister's previous public statements where he instructed the IDF and Mossad to work toward the goal of toppling the Iranian regime.
The Source of the Friction
The storm began with a report from Israel's Channel 12, which claimed a confrontation was brewing between Netanyahu and Lt. Gen. Zamir. According to the report, the Prime Minister had ordered unspecified military actions that defence officials feared could lead to a rapid and dangerous escalation with Iran at a highly sensitive moment.
Army Radio echoed these claims, citing senior security officials. Channel 12 further alleged that Lt. Gen. Zamir had resisted these orders, seeking more deliberation and demanding signed documentation from Netanyahu to ensure legal authorization for the proposed actions.
Anonymous military sources quoted in the reports expressed concern that the political leadership might be attempting to "utilise the Iranian issue for political benefit," potentially risking a miscalculation that could drag the state into a full-scale war.
Political Firestorm and Accusations of Treason
The reports have provided significant ammunition for Netanyahu's political rivals during the final hours of the campaign.
Avigdor Liberman's Legal Challenge
Avigdor Liberman, chairman of Yisrael Beytenu and a prominent opponent of the Prime Minister, has taken the matter to the Israel Attorney General. Liberman has demanded a criminal investigation into Benjamin Netanyahu on charges of treason.
Taking to X, Liberman claimed that Netanyahu has been pressuring security heads to take steps that could lead to a catastrophic miscalculation. He argued that attempting to spark a war on the eve of an election to avoid losing power constitutes treason against the state, the security establishment, and the soldiers of the IDF.
Warnings from Gadi Eisenkot
Another political figure and prime ministerial hopeful, Gadi Eisenkot, also condemned the reported clash. Eisenkot warned Netanyahu against prioritizing his own political survival over national security.
Eisenkot stated that the IDF must not be turned into a "tool" for Netanyahu's survival campaign, insisting that completing the democratic process and holding elections on time is essential for Israel's national resilience.