Iran24 August, 20262 min read
Benjamin Netanyahu Says Iran Tried To Kill One Of His Sons In Channel 14 Interview
Iran attempted to assassinate one of Netanyahu's two sons; timing and target unspecified. Netanyahu disclosed the claim in a Channel 14 interview and sought greater family security.
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Netanyahu accuses Iran
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that Iran tried to kill one of his sons in a phone interview with Channel 14, but he gave no details on when the alleged plot took place or which son was targeted.
“This is an unbelievable case. Iran targeted one of my sons.”
Reuters reported that Netanyahu made the claim in a telephone interview with Israel's Channel 14 and that it was not immediately clear which of his sons he was referring to.
Al Jazeera said Netanyahu gave no details on when or where the alleged plot took place or which of his sons was targeted, and it placed the allegation in the context of heightened tensions ahead of Israel's October general election.
The Jerusalem Post said Netanyahu made the claim during a phone call with Channel 14's military correspondent Noam Amir, and it quoted Netanyahu saying, "This is an unbelievable case. Iran targeted one of my sons."
Security dispute and election
Netanyahu tied his accusation to security arrangements for political rivals, saying he spoke with Shin Bet chief David Zini about providing protection for any prime ministerial candidate. The Times of India quoted Netanyahu calling for restraint during Israel's election campaign, saying, "People need to show some restraint, especially during an election campaign," while also noting he did not specify whether Yair or Avner was targeted.
Reuters said Netanyahu was responding to reports that one of Israel's security agencies had refused to provide protection for a political rival ahead of the nationwide vote, and it added that Israeli media had reported Zini declined to provide security for Gadi Eisenkot. In the same Channel 14 interview, Netanyahu insisted that the security he sought was not a luxury, telling the conservative channel, "Iran tried to murder one of my sons, and therefore this security protection is not a luxury."
Protection, fallout, and context
The Jerusalem Post reported that in July, a Ministerial Committee for Shin Bet Affairs approved extended personal protection for Netanyahu's wife Sara and their sons Yair and Avner, while Netanyahu did not say whether Yair or Avner was the target of Iran's alleged attempt. Al Jazeera said Netanyahu's allegation came as his coalition trailed in opinion polls ahead of the general election in October, and it linked the claim to the broader context of the United States and Israel’s war on Iran.
Reuters said Netanyahu's accusation underscored heightened tensions since the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran began in February, during which Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior Iranian leaders were killed. Al Jazeera also reported that Iran has promised revenge for the killings of Khamenei and his family, and it quoted a pledge from Mojtaba Khamenei to "avenge the blood" of the former supreme leader.