Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated in a telephone interview that Iran attempted to assassinate one of his sons. During the interview with Israel’s Channel 14, Netanyahu said the alleged plot demonstrated that government-provided security for his family is a necessity rather than a luxury.
The accusation follows the start of a conflict between the U.S., Israel, and Iran in February, which resulted in the deaths of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other high-ranking officials. The claim also comes as Netanyahu’s governing coalition trails in public opinion polls ahead of a general election scheduled for October 27.
Netanyahu did not specify which of his sons was targeted, when the alleged event occurred, or provide evidence regarding how close the attempt came to being carried out. His elder son, Yair, currently resides in Miami. Iran’s mission to the United Nations did not immediately provide a response to the prime minister's statement.
The comments were made in the context of a debate regarding security for political figures. Israeli media previously reported that David Zini, head of the Shin Bet security agency, had declined to provide a security detail for Gadi Eisenkot, a political rival of Netanyahu. Zini reportedly informed election authorities there was no evidence of a plot against Eisenkot. Netanyahu noted that he had spoken with Zini, stating that all prime ministerial candidates should receive appropriate protection.
For the Israeli public, the statement highlights the security environment two months before the October 27 general election. Voters will see a direct contrast between the security assessments for different political leaders, as the Shin Bet has publicly differed with the prime minister's allies regarding the threat level against Gadi Eisenkot. Eisenkot’s party is currently projected to win the most seats in the upcoming vote. A citizen may notice this development through shifts in political discourse regarding the fairness of the election and the use of state security apparatuses for different candidates.
The claim sets a precedent for how security threats are disclosed during wartime and election seasons. If the Shin Bet confirms or denies the plot, it could influence public trust in security assessments and impact the polling for the October election. The immediate next steps include the continuation of the election campaign leading toward October 27, where Netanyahu’s coalition currently faces a deficit in polling. Whether the Shin Bet or the Iranian government will release further information regarding the alleged plot remains unknown.