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Netanyahu pushed for attack on Iran ahead of Israeli election, officials say

newsOct 26, 202651115

In the days before Israel’s pivotal parliamentary election, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pressed the military to carry out a strike on Iran, three senior Israeli defense officials told reporters. Israel’s chief of staff Eyal Zamir rejected the push, saying there was no urgent need for a strike and warning a separate, less overt operation could provoke Iranian retaliation. Netanyahu then pressed for a different, short-of-an-overt-strike action after the military resisted, according to the officials. Officials said Mr. Netanyahu’s rationale for seeking action so close to the vote was unclear, and that a return to conflict could have disrupted or even delayed the election. The dispute highlights a sharp split between the prime minister and parts of the defense leadership in the run-up to Tuesday’s vote.

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