Netanyahu Shares AI Nuclear Blast Image, Warns of Existential Threat

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted an AI-generated image of a nuclear explosion over Tel Aviv on Sunday, two days before elections, alongside remarks from right-wing political commentator Yoav Bloomerg warning of an existential threat from Iran. The post stated, "The State of Israel is in real and tangible existential danger. If the Iranians get nuclear weapons, nothing will ever be the same again." Bloomerg argued that the government's controversies were a "huge smokescreen to hide the only issue that dwarfs all others by a huge margin. If two atomic bombs fell in the center of the country, who would care about all these fake storms?"

Netanyahu contended that Israel has "another two years of Trump's rule to finish the job in Iran," and that "future generations will not forgive us if we miss the historic window of opportunity." The post also suggested the mission could not be completed by a prime minister who "cannot pick up the phone and have a continuous and intimate conversation with Trump" or "cannot withstand the pressure of a TV interview." Netanyahu's critics have accused him of seeking to renew a war against Iran to influence or postpone the October 27 vote, an accusation he denies.

Reports indicated that Chief of Staff of the Israeli military, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, stated in a private meeting that he saw no operational need to strike Iran before the elections. Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yesh Atid party, responded on X, calling Netanyahu "hysterical" and accusing him of using "old tactics of lies and fearmongering" to threaten Israelis with mass destruction after failing to achieve war aims against Iran. Eisenkot asserted that his party would form the next government and lead Israel to security and prosperity.

Yair Golan, leader of the Democratic Party, also reacted on X, calling for Netanyahu to be removed from social networks, stating that "the man and his people have lost their minds" and that "promoters of panic" would be replaced on Tuesday to restore security and rationality to Israel.