Tensions between Israel’s political and military leadership have flared up once again, with Channel 12 reporting on Wednesday about a deepening rift between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir over military actions against Iran.
Kabul 24: According to the report, Zamir considers such moves currently “injudicious,” citing political uncertainty within Israel and a waning appetite in Washington for strikes against Iran.
Channel 12 revealed that General Zamir has repeatedly opposed actions proposed by Netanyahu during recent security meetings. Israeli Hebrew-language media had previously reported on a similar confrontation between Netanyahu and Zamir ahead of the October 27 elections, a conflict that has now resurfaced, though specific details were withheld.
The Prime Minister’s Office dismissed the report as “fake and biased news,” stating, “We do not comment on what is said in closed security meetings.”
Earlier, Channel 12 reported an “unprecedented showdown” two days before the October 27 elections, sparked by Netanyahu’s directive to carry out a military action. While details of the operation were undisclosed, defense officials believed its execution could have triggered a major war with Iran. Unnamed sources indicated that Zamir resisted the move, demanding further review and a signed legal authorization document from Netanyahu.
On October 26, Channels 12 and 13 reported that Zamir was the sole senior security official opposing the military option pushed by Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz. The New York Times similarly reported that Netanyahu had spent weeks preparing a fresh airstrike against Iran, only to be blocked by Zamir, who saw no immediate operational necessity before the election.
Zamir reportedly feared that a limited or covert action could be miscalculated, provoking an Iranian counterstrike. Unconfirmed reports suggested the plan was ultimately thwarted when an Israeli security official hastily alerted the United States, which then intervened to block it.
The Prime Minister’s Office countered at the time by stating that Netanyahu made it clear no pre-election strike was ever on the agenda, adding that there was “no fight” between him and the Chief of Staff.
