IDF chief pushed back on Netanyahu order for ‘action’ against Iran, fearing political motives

Due to the sensitive nature of the action, N12 reported that Zamir requested an in-depth discussion and formal authorization before moving forward with the action. 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir clashed over a military action that could renew the conflict with Iran days before Israel's elections, N12 News reported Sunday evening. 

Recently, Zamir received a directive from the political echelon to carry out an action, which security officials told N12 would "trigger a rapid escalation into a confrontation with Iran."

Due to the sensitive nature of the action, N12 reported that Zamir requested an in-depth discussion and formal authorization before moving forward with the action.

Sources familiar with the details told N12 that Zamir and additional IDF leadership are concerned that the political echelon may be trying to exploit the front with Iran ahead of elections for political gain. 

Netanyahu denied the report late on Sunday night, saying on Channel 14’s The Patriots that “there is no confrontation” and that “someone is trying to obscure the fact that Zamir himself had said Iran was attempting to interfere in the elections.”

Eisenkot warns Netanyahu against using IDF as political tool

Yashar party chairman Gadi Eisenkot on Sunday night said he supports Zamir's decision to be cautious, warning Netanyahu against putting his political interests above the state's.

"Netanyahu, my eyes are on you," stated Eisenkot. "The man, on whose watch the greatest disaster in the nation’s history occurred, refuses to grasp that Israel’s security is not a political plaything; that the lives of Israeli citizens and IDF soldiers are not to be treated with reckless disregard; and that the State of Israel is not his private property."

"I have full confidence in IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and the IDF commanders, who act with professional responsibility and an absolute commitment to the nation’s security. We will not allow the IDF to be turned into a tool for Netanyahu’s political survival campaign."

"Do not dare to place your own political interests above the security of the State," Eisenkot warned the prime minister.

He added that holding elections according to the set schedule is a "cornerstone of Israel’s national resilience," stating that he "will not let you [Netanyahu] jeopardize Israel’s future just to preserve your own rule."

"In two days, the citizens of Israel will put an end to this era of reckless, lawless governance and restore responsibility, a sense of statehood, and the security of Israel," Eisenkot said. "I give you my word."

Betrayal of state, security

The Democrats party chair Yair Golan echoed Eisenkot's support for Zamir's caution in a Sunday night post on X/Twitter, saying that he wholeheartedly backs Zamir for "standing firm on his professional duty."

"It is forbidden to allow any military action that lacks a clear security need, a strategic purpose, and a responsible action plan behind it," Golan wrote. "When Israeli citizens go to the polls next Tuesday, they must remember this: Netanyahu constitutes a security threat to Israel. He does not hesitate to sacrifice the lives of our children for his survival on the eve of elections, and this is what the IDF is trying to thwart."

"Israel's security is in the hands of a corrupt political echelon, unfit and deranged people who do not hesitate to sacrifice Israel's security in order to cling to their seats."

Yisrael Beytenu head Avigdor Liberman called Netanyahu's attempt to "drag Israel into military action in order to prevent the elections" an act of "betrayal of the state and its security."

"The duty of the chief of staff is to prevent the political use of the IDF and to safeguard the lives of IDF soldiers, not endanger them because of the prime minister's fear of losing the elections."