‘Vote For Me Or Risk Iran Threat’: Netanyahu Invokes ‘Second Holocaust’ Warning Ahead Of Israeli Elections

Netanyahu Invokes ‘Second Holocaust’ Warning Ahead of Election, Links Leadership to Iran Threat

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made Iran a central issue in his election campaign, warning of a potential “second Holocaust” if he fails to secure another term and highlighting his close relationship with US President Donald Trump. His remarks have intensified concerns that the threat of renewed military confrontation with Tehran is becoming intertwined with Israel’s domestic political contest.

On the eve of the election, Netanyahu urged Israelis to support his leadership, pointing to Trump’s backing and his stated determination to continue their joint efforts against Iran. He cited a message from the US president urging Israelis to vote for him, arguing that the two leaders needed to “finish the job that we started”.

Netanyahu also suggested that Trump was prepared to take steps that could finally eliminate the Iranian threat. He said he had directed Israel’s military and Mossad intelligence agency to bring down Iran’s regime.

On Sunday, Netanyahu issued his warning about a possible “second Holocaust” if he was not re-elected. The message featured an AI-generated image depicting a nuclear mushroom cloud over Tel Aviv, portraying the potential consequences of an Iranian threat. His remarks effectively presented his continued leadership and relationship with Trump as crucial to Israel’s security.

REPORTS OF DISAGREEMENT OVER POSSIBLE IRAN OPERATION
The election campaign has also been overshadowed by reports of differences between Netanyahu and Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir over a possible military operation connected to Iran.

Israeli broadcaster Channel 12 reported that Netanyahu had been pushing for an unspecified operation shortly before the election. According to diplomatic reporter Yaron Avraham, Zamir resisted the proposal and sought further consultations as well as signed legal authorisation from the prime minister.

The report said military officials were concerned that the proposed action could lead to a miscalculation and trigger an Iranian attack on Israel.

Netanyahu dismissed the allegations as “nonsense”, while Defence Minister Israel Katz denied that Israel intended to initiate an attack on Iran before the election.

“I state unequivocally that Israel had no intention of initiating an attack on Iran before the elections in Israel,” Katz said on Monday morning. He added that Israel would respond forcefully if Iran attacked first.

The Channel 12 report did not establish that Netanyahu intended to launch a direct attack before polling. Rather, it alleged that he was seeking an unspecified military action that senior military officials feared could provoke an Iranian response.

ISRAELI AIRCRAFT REPORTEDLY APPROACHED IRANIAN BORDER
Separate reports said the Israeli Air Force had sent dozens of fighter jets and refuelling aircraft across Syria and Iraq towards Iran’s border during the previous week. The aircraft reportedly followed a route resembling a potential strike mission before turning back short of Iranian territory.

Israel had reportedly informed the Trump administration about the operation in advance, describing it as a demonstration of military strength intended to deter Tehran from attacking before the election.

According to the reports, Zamir supported that earlier operation but was more concerned about the potential consequences of the action being discussed for the following week.

A subsequent CNN report said Netanyahu had urged Trump to join a renewed military assault on Iran before the Israeli election and the US midterm elections. However, the report said Trump had not approved the proposed attack.

Citing an Israeli security source, CNN reported that Trump “did not give a green light”. The report also highlighted concerns that escalating hostilities could potentially lead to a postponement of Israel’s election.

CNN further cited recent US intelligence assessments suggesting that Netanyahu and his allies lacked a clearly defined strategic objective for another round of conflict with Iran.

OPPOSITION ACCUSES NETANYAHU OF POLITICAL MANOEUVRING
Netanyahu’s political opponents have raised concerns about the timing of the reported military discussions and the prime minister’s use of national security issues during the campaign.

Former IDF chief Gadi Eisenkot, one of Netanyahu’s principal challengers, had warned that the prime minister could resort to extreme measures to retain power.

“I see the polls, I know the data, and I know Netanyahu. He’ll stop at nothing — no lie, no extreme measure — to stay in power,” Eisenkot said.

Following the Channel 12 report, Eisenkot posted on social media: “Netanyahu, I’m watching you.” He accused the prime minister of turning national security into a political bargaining tool and stressed that the lives of Israeli citizens and soldiers should not be treated as expendable.

Former Prime Minister Yair Lapid also criticised Netanyahu, saying: “The man has gone off the rails.”

Netanyahu, who has served as prime minister for a total of 19 years, faces an opposition that has struggled to establish a clear path towards securing a parliamentary majority, according to the account’s description of opinion polls.

The controversy has placed renewed focus on the relationship between Israel’s security policy and its electoral politics. While Netanyahu has presented his leadership and partnership with Trump as essential to confronting Iran, his opponents have questioned whether the prospect of military escalation is being used to strengthen his political position.

With concerns about possible retaliation, the risks of a wider conflict and the absence of a clearly defined strategic objective, the reported disagreements have added another layer of uncertainty to an already tense election campaign.