Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has alleged that Iran attempted to kill one of his sons, but provided no details about when the alleged plot occurred, which son was targeted or how close it came to being carried out.
Netanyahu made the claim on Monday during a telephone interview with Israel’s Channel 14, as tensions between Israel and Iran remain high following the US-Israeli war against Tehran.
“Iran targeted one of my sons. Iran tried to kill, to murder one of my sons,” Netanyahu said.
He added that the alleged threat showed why security protection for political figures was necessary.
The Israeli Prime Minister made the claim while responding to reports that one of the country’s security agencies had declined to provide protection for a political rival ahead of the October 27 general election.
Netanyahu did not identify the son he was referring to. His elder son, Yair Netanyahu, lives in Miami.
Iran’s mission to the United Nations in New York had not immediately responded to a request for comment on the allegation.
Netanyahu also said he had instructed Shin Bet chief David Zini to ensure that appropriate security was provided to all candidates for prime minister.
Israeli media had earlier reported that Zini declined to provide security for Gadi Eisenkot and told the country’s election authority that there was no known plot to harm him.
Eisenkot’s party is currently projected to win the largest number of seats in the election. However, Israeli governments are generally formed through coalitions, meaning the party with the most seats does not necessarily govern alone.
Netanyahu’s allegation comes amid heightened tensions following the US-Israeli war on Iran, during which Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several other senior Iranian leaders were killed.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s governing coalition is also trailing in opinion polls ahead of the October 27 election.
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