Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused Iran of attempting to assassinate one of his sons, making the explosive claim as security concerns intensify around leading political figures ahead of Israel’s October 27 election.
Netanyahu made the allegation on Monday during a telephone interview with Israel’s Channel 14, but did not identify which of his two sons was allegedly targeted or disclose when, where or how the purported assassination attempt occurred.
“Something incredible happened: Iran targeted one of my sons. Iran tried to kill one of my sons,” Netanyahu said.
The Israeli leader offered no evidence publicly to substantiate the allegation during the interview, and there was no immediate confirmation from Iran regarding the claim. Reuters reported that Netanyahu provided no details about the timing of the alleged plot, which son was targeted or how far the purported operation had progressed.
The dramatic disclosure emerged during a discussion over security arrangements for Gadi Eisenkot, the former Israeli military chief and opposition politician who has emerged as one of Netanyahu’s strongest challengers ahead of the October election.
The Shin Bet domestic security agency had faced controversy over its decision not to provide Eisenkot with a permanent state security detail despite concerns about threats against him.
Netanyahu said he had personally spoken with Shin Bet chief David Zini and urged the security agency to provide appropriate protection for anyone running for prime minister.
He argued that such protection was not a matter of privilege but a security necessity, citing the alleged Iranian attempt against his family as evidence of the threat facing prominent Israeli figures.
“Without that, they will succeed,” Netanyahu said, while calling for restraint during the increasingly heated election campaign.
Israeli reports said the Shin Bet subsequently agreed to allow Eisenkot’s private guards to carry weapons and provide his team with access to relevant security information, although the agency would still not assign him its own permanent protection unit.
The dispute over Eisenkot’s security has become increasingly sensitive as Israel prepares for elections scheduled for October 27, with the former army chief emerging as a major political challenger to Netanyahu.
Shin Bet chief Zini had earlier said he personally made the decision not to assign an official security detail to Eisenkot. The agency said at the time that it had no intelligence indicating a specific intention to harm the opposition politician, although it continued to monitor potential threats.
Netanyahu’s allegation concerning his son now adds another dimension to the security debate and underscores the intensity of Israel’s long-running confrontation with Iran.
The Prime Minister has two sons, Yair and Avner, but did not specify which was allegedly targeted.
His elder son, Yair Netanyahu, has spent extended periods in the United States and has reportedly received Shin Bet protection, an arrangement that has previously generated debate in Israel over security costs and potential threats.
Israeli journalist Amit Segal said after Netanyahu’s comments became public that information concerning the alleged assassination attempt had been known for months but had been subject to a gag order. That account has not disclosed further details about the alleged plot.
The disclosure comes against the backdrop of years of confrontation between Israel and Iran, involving military operations, intelligence activities, cyberattacks and accusations of assassination plots.
Israel has repeatedly accused Tehran of seeking to target Israeli officials and citizens abroad, while Iran has blamed Israel for attacks on senior Iranian military officials, nuclear scientists and strategic facilities.
Netanyahu’s latest claim is therefore likely to sharpen an already volatile confrontation while feeding directly into Israel’s domestic debate over the protection of political leaders during a fiercely contested election season.
For now, fundamental questions remain unanswered: which of Netanyahu’s sons was allegedly targeted, when the attempt occurred, how it was uncovered and what evidence Israeli authorities possess linking the alleged operation to Tehran.
Until those details emerge, Netanyahu’s declaration remains a serious but publicly unsubstantiated allegation, one that places the Iranian threat squarely at the centre of Israel’s escalating security and electoral debate.
