Jerusalem: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed that Iran attempted to assassinate one of his sons, but provided no details about the alleged plot, including which son was targeted, when the incident occurred or how close it came to being carried out.
Netanyahu Provides No Details on Alleged Plot
Netanyahu made the allegation during a telephone interview with Israel’s Channel 14 on Monday while discussing security arrangements for political candidates ahead of Israel’s October 27 general election.
He said the alleged Iranian threat demonstrated that security protection for political figures was necessary. Netanyahu’s elder son, Yair Netanyahu, lives in Miami. Iran’s mission to the United Nations in New York did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The allegation comes amid heightened tensions following the US-Israeli war with Iran that began in February, during which Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior Iranian officials were killed.
Security Dispute Ahead of Israeli Election
Netanyahu also said he had instructed Shin Bet chief David Zini to ensure appropriate protection for all candidates for prime minister.
The comments followed reports that Zini had declined to provide security for opposition politician Gadi Eisenkot, telling Israel’s election authority that there was no indication of a plot against him.
Eisenkot’s party is currently projected to win the largest number of seats in the election, although Israel’s governments are generally formed through coalition agreements because individual parties rarely secure a parliamentary majority.