Jerusalem: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that Iran attempted to assassinate one of his sons, revealing a serious security allegation at a time of heightened tensions between Israel and Iran and growing political pressure ahead of Israel’s national election.
Netanyahu made the claim during a telephone interview with Israel’s Channel 14 on Monday. He said Iran had targeted one of his sons and had tried to kill him, but he did not identify which of his two sons was allegedly targeted. He also did not explain when the alleged attempt took place, where it happened or how Israeli security officials discovered and stopped the plot.
The allegation has drawn attention because Netanyahu made it while discussing security arrangements for political leaders and members of his family. His comments came after a debate over the level of protection provided to political candidates ahead of the October 27 election.
Netanyahu has two sons, Yair and Avner. Yair has spent much of his time outside Israel and is currently based in Miami, while Avner lives in Israel. Israeli media reports have said the alleged plot became known to the country’s security establishment several months ago. However, those reports have not established publicly which son was the intended target.
Israeli television reports have also indicated that the alleged operation was kept from public discussion because of military censorship. One report said the alleged attempt took place while Yair was outside Israel, but it did not say that he was the son Iran was allegedly trying to kill.
Netanyahu referred to the alleged incident as evidence that security protection for his family is necessary. He argued that such protection should not be regarded as a luxury because of the danger posed by Iran.
The issue has become particularly sensitive because of a separate dispute involving Gadi Eisenkot, a former Israeli military chief and a leading political opponent of Netanyahu. Reports said Israel’s Shin Bet security agency had decided not to provide its own security detail for Eisenkot, although he would be allowed to have armed protection.
Netanyahu said political candidates facing possible threats should receive appropriate protection. He argued that the threat against his own family demonstrated why security measures were necessary for people who could become prime minister.
The allegation comes as Israel remains locked in a wider confrontation with Iran. The two countries have been involved in a major military conflict since February, with the United States also taking part. The conflict has resulted in attacks against important Iranian military and nuclear facilities and the deaths of senior Iranian leaders.
The latest claim also comes after years of confrontation between Israeli and Iranian intelligence services. Israel has repeatedly accused Iran of using agents and networks to gather intelligence and conduct operations inside Israel and abroad. Iranian authorities have also accused Israel of carrying out covert operations against Iranian officials and military facilities.
Despite the seriousness of Netanyahu’s allegation, there is still limited public information about the specific case involving his son. No detailed evidence has been released publicly showing how the alleged assassination attempt was organised, who was involved or how close the operation came to succeeding.
Iran has not publicly accepted responsibility for the alleged attempt. There has also been no detailed Iranian response directly addressing Netanyahu’s accusation.
The timing of the disclosure is likely to give the issue additional political importance. Israel is approaching a national election, and security has long been one of the central issues in the country’s politics. Netanyahu has made Iran and the threat from Iranian backed groups major parts of his security message.
The allegation may therefore increase public concern about the safety of political leaders and their families during the election campaign. It could also intensify the debate over how much protection should be given to candidates and their relatives.
For now, the most important unanswered question is which of Netanyahu’s sons was allegedly targeted and what exactly happened. Until Israeli authorities release further information, the claim remains an allegation made by the prime minister rather than a publicly documented assassination attempt with all the details independently established.
Netanyahu’s statement nevertheless highlights the continuing intensity of the intelligence conflict between Israel and Iran. It also shows how the threat of attacks against political figures has become closely connected with Israel’s domestic political debate as the country moves toward another important election.