Netanyahu Vows to Topple Iran's Regime, Rejects Palestinian State Ahead of Elections

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Wednesday that toppling the Iranian regime is the sole path to eliminating the threat posed by Tehran. He revealed that he has directed the Israeli military, Mossad, and security agencies to work towards this objective. Netanyahu accused Iran of pursuing nuclear weapons, deeming it an existential threat to Israel, though he also assessed that Iran and its allies are currently weaker than before.

Addressing the conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon, Netanyahu claimed Israel has completed approximately 90% of its mission against Hamas and Hezbollah. He pledged to continue operations against both groups but did not detail how the remaining objectives would be achieved, given Hamas's continued presence in Gaza and Hezbollah's efforts to rebuild its capabilities.

Politically, Netanyahu linked the upcoming Knesset elections to Israel's future security policies. He characterized his rivals, particularly Gadi Eisenkot, as offering a different approach to Iran and the Palestinian issue compared to his government. Netanyahu reiterated his firm rejection of a Palestinian state, declaring that accepting this stance will be a prerequisite for any party seeking to join his government post-election.

In separate remarks, Netanyahu criticized the far-left and far-right Islam, attributing the perceived decline of France and Britain to their influence. He also linked unrest in France to the growing power of extremist Islamic currents, sparking debate over his explanations for social and political crises.

These statements come just days before the October 27th Knesset elections, amidst intense political competition and disagreements over the war's management, the confrontation with Iran, and the future government's stance on a Palestinian state.