Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israel had received intelligence indicating that its adversaries, including Iran and its allies, could launch attacks to interfere with the elections scheduled for Tuesday. He issued a direct warning, saying Israel would respond forcefully to any such attempt.
“We have received intelligence that our enemies—Iran and its allies—may attack us to disrupt the elections. We want to tell them not to try to test us. You will pay a very heavy price. We will respond firmly to any such attempts,” Netanyahu said.
Netanyahu has repeatedly referred to Iran during his election campaign, placing the security threat posed by Tehran at the centre of his political messaging. Referring to the campaign launched against Iran in February in coordination with the United States, he claimed that he was the only leader capable of bringing the operation to its conclusion.
He also said the Israeli military was fully prepared to undertake both defensive and offensive operations and would carry out its responsibilities.
On Wednesday, Netanyahu said he had instructed the Israeli security forces to overthrow Iran’s religious leadership. A day earlier, he had posted a video showing himself standing in front of a fighter jet while speaking to US President Donald Trump over the phone. In the video, Netanyahu said the two leaders would work together to complete the mission.
The conflict involving Gaza, Lebanon and Iran has emerged as a major issue in Israel’s upcoming parliamentary elections. Netanyahu has repeatedly highlighted these security concerns during his campaign, making the election a significant test of his political standing.
Netanyahu’s principal challenger is Gadi Eisenkot, a former chief of the Israeli military who has established his own credentials on national security, one of the central issues in the campaign.
Eisenkot has called for an independent investigation into the failures of Israel’s security arrangements during Hamas’s attack on October 7, 2023, a sensitive issue for the country. He has also supported a system requiring all citizens to undertake military or national service.
With the October 27 elections approaching, Netanyahu’s warnings about possible Iranian interference and his emphasis on military readiness have placed the threat of regional conflict firmly at the centre of the political contest. His rivalry with Eisenkot is also shaping the debate over national security, military accountability and Israel’s response to its adversaries.
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