Liberman asks AG to probe Netanyahu over alleged Iran dispute

The Israeli political calendar is tight as the general election approaches on October 27. In the final days before voting, Avigdor Liberman, chairman of the Yisrael Beytenu party, asked Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara to open a criminal investigation into Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on suspicion of treason. The request, issued on Monday, does not confirm wrongdoing or guarantee that a formal probe will begin.

The demand follows a Sunday report by the N12 channel. The broadcast stated that Netanyahu and IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir had a dispute over a proposed military operation. According to the report, the operation risked triggering a confrontation with Iran. This alleged conflict emerged just 48 hours before the national vote.

Liberman claimed on social media that Netanyahu was attempting to push Israel into military action to disrupt the election. He characterized the behavior as a betrayal of the state. Liberman also argued that the military commander has a duty to prevent the armed forces from being used for political ends and to protect soldiers from unnecessary risk.

In an interview with 103FM on Monday, Liberman confirmed he would formally request the investigation. He described Netanyahu’s leadership as erratic, saying, "The man has gone off the rails." He cited shifting threats regarding weapons and strikes on Tel Aviv as evidence of the instability. Liberman stated that the relationship between the military and political leadership has never been more strained, attributing the tension to Netanyahu’s efforts to provoke a miscalculation with Iran.

Liberman maintained that the chief of staff is strong enough to insist on legal procedures. He argued that any action with the potential to lead to war requires a formal government discussion and decision. He viewed the current standoff as a test of the military’s adherence to the law.

Defense Minister Israel Katz rejected the accusations on Monday. He stated there was no strain between the IDF and the political leadership. Katz said coordination among the prime minister, himself, and the IDF on the Iran issue has been complete since he took office. He described the security achievements as unprecedented and historic.

Katz said unequivocally that Israel had no intention of initiating an attack on Iran before the elections. He noted that Israel had made clear it would respond with great force if Iran attacked, calling all reports on the matter entirely false. He accused opposition figures of exploiting the reports to attack the prime minister and himself, labeling the effort shameful and irresponsible.