However, he faced resistance from Israel’s military chief, according to a report by The New York Times . Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sought for weeks to advance military action against Iran before Tuesday’s national election.
Election campaign dominated by security concerns
Eisenkot has campaigned on promises to establish an inquiry into the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, restructure Israel’s security policy and form a new government if elected. Former Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman called for Israel’s attorney general to investigate whether Netanyahu’s reported actions amounted to an abuse of office.
The report said that the disagreement centered on both the timing of any operation and concerns that it could influence the election or trigger a wider regional conflict. Netanyahu initially pushed for a new airstrike on Iran but was opposed by Israel Defense Forces ( IDF ) Chief of Staff Lt, according to the report. The report said Zamir believed such a move could provoke retaliation from Tehran without a compelling military necessity. Israeli Air Force commander Maj, according to the report. The report said military leaders were not opposed to action against Iran in principle but objected to carrying it out during the sensitive election period. The Israeli military stated in a statement that it only made operational decisions based “on security considerations” and “its obligation as a national institution. “The attempt to drag Israel into a war on the eve of elections… is a betrayal of the nation,” Liberman wrote in a formal complaint, according to The New York Times. He said, “At stake in the elections is nothing less than the security of Israel and the survival of the Israeli story as we know it.”
Gen. Eyal Zamir. In recent days, Zamir reportedly became concerned that Netanyahu was considering another action against Iran that fell short of an overt military strike. Omer Tischler also questioned the timing. Both commanders reportedly argued it would be difficult to justify military action immediately before a national election.
