Netanyahu Warns of Election-Eve Attacks, Opposition Demands Clarity

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated Tuesday that there are "signs that our enemies will try to attack us" as elections approach. Speaking from the Tel Nof Air Force base, Netanyahu issued a filmed warning, "I am giving you a message, do not mess with us. Our long arm will reach you anywhere, anytime."

In response, Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the opposition party National Unity, stated that if Netanyahu's security concerns are genuine, he "must immediately update opposition leader Yair Lapid" to ensure the threat is real and not a political maneuver aimed at influencing the election. Eisenkot emphasized that "it is absolutely forbidden to mix Israel's security with the election campaign, not even for appearances."

Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, whose party is allied with Lapid, announced he would deliver a statement Tuesday evening. Bennett's party also reiterated that mixing security with elections is unacceptable.

Ofer Winter, leader of the "People of Israel" party, questioned the government's inaction, stating, "The Prime Minister says now that there are signs they will try to attack us in the coming days. Defense Minister Israel Katz says they will try to abduct a soldier in Gaza. Why the hell are we waiting?! Enough containment, enough rounds, he who comes to kill you, rise early to kill him."

Winter criticized the current approach, advocating for decisive action rather than waiting. "We have achieved tremendous gains in this war at the heavy price of our fighters, no doubt. But again and again, even now after three years with no decision, we prove that we are still prisoners of a concept. Get out of it, dismantle them now, don't wait. Under our watch, this will not happen. We will come to decide, to dismantle them, not to wait, to initiate. We will empty the pool and bring about migration, bring about a decision. What was will not be."

This statement contrasts with Netanyahu's remarks from just three weeks prior, when he stated Iran was "refraining" from attacking Israel and knew "why." At that time, he also asserted, "Iran will receive a blow it cannot imagine" if it attacked, and that "Iran's regime is nearing its end."