Netanyahu warns of threat of "new Holocaust" ahead of Knesset elections

Intensifying rhetoric ahead of the vote

Benjamin Netanyahu, who holds the post of Israeli Prime Minister for the longest period in the country's history, shifted the focus of his public activity ahead of the snap parliamentary elections to the 26th Knesset, scheduled for 27 October. The politician focused citizens' attention on national security issues, publishing a detailed warning on his X account.

The post stated that the wrong choice at the polling station could threaten the country with catastrophe if power is taken by a politician incapable of ending the war with Iran. Netanyahu referred to the opinion of Yuval Bloomberg, a right-wing Israeli commentator, who characterised the current situation as a "real and tangible existential threat".

"Window of opportunity" and the threat from Iran

According to Bloomberg, if Iran acquires nuclear weapons, the world will change forever. The commentator emphasised that all other problems pale in comparison to this threat:

«Усе інше — сущі дрібниці порівняно з екзистенційною загрозою, що виходить від Ірану та «шиїтської осі»» (Everything else is a mere trifle compared to the existential threat emanating from Iran and the "Shia axis").

The expert noted that Israel has only two years while Donald Trump is the US President. It is during this time, in his view, that the Iranian issue must be resolved, as the policy of the next White House leader is unknown.

«Це те саме «вікно можливостей», яке в нас залишилося, щоб виконати необхідну роботу і забезпечити наше фізичне існування на роки вперед. Усі ресурси держави мають бути спрямовані на вирішення цього завдання. Катар, ультраортодокси, питання призову, тривожні повідомлення — усе це лише величезна димова завіса, покликана приховати єдину проблему, яка за своєю значущістю затьмарює все інше. Якщо в центрі країни розірвуться дві атомні бомби, кому тоді буде діло до всіх цих надуманих скандалів? Майбутні покоління не простять нам, якщо ми упустимо цей історичний шанс — можливість виконати найважливішу місію, що стоїть перед нашим поколінням» (This is the same "window of opportunity" we have left to do the necessary work and ensure our physical existence for years to come. All state resources must be directed towards solving this task. Qatar, ultra-Orthodox, conscription issues, alarming messages — all this is just a huge smokescreen intended to hide the single problem that, by its significance, overshadows everything else. If two atomic bombs explode in the centre of the country, who will then care about all these fabricated scandals? Future generations will not forgive us if we miss this historic chance — the opportunity to carry out the most important mission facing our generation), Netanyahu quotes Bloomberg.

The commentator urged voters not to vote for those who are incapable of carrying out the assigned task and to "test the tremor in the hand", citing the fact that any other choice dooms families to the "danger of a new Holocaust".

The Prime Minister's post was accompanied by an artificially generated illustration of a nuclear explosion over a city that many internet users recognised as Tel Aviv.

Polls and reaction from opponents

According to data cited by ABC News, the majority of voters are inclined to support Jewish or Arab parties that oppose Netanyahu. Forecasts indicate that his party, Likud, may not secure enough seats to form a majority government. That is why, it is noted, the Prime Minister decided to focus on citizens' security concerns.

In another interview, Netanyahu stated that, according to Israeli intelligence, Iran and its proxy forces may launch an attack to disrupt the elections scheduled for Tuesday.

«Не випробовуйте нас — ви отримаєте неспівмірно важкі удари» (Do not test us — you will receive disproportionately heavy blows), he warned.

One of the Prime Minister's opponents, Yair Lapid, commented on these statements, claiming that Netanyahu has "lost touch with reality".

Conflict with army leadership and rivals' positions

The previous evening, Israeli media reported an unprecedented conflict between Benjamin Netanyahu and Eyal Zamir, the Chief of the General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). According to media reports, Zamir is concerned that the political leadership is pushing the country towards a dangerous mistake in relations with Iran ahead of the elections, which could lead to a sharp and immediate escalation.

Netanyahu's main rival, Gadi Eisenkot, speaking to his supporters in Tel Aviv on the evening of 25 October, stated that Israel faces a choice: international partnership or isolation.