“IRAN WANTS ME OUT”: Netanyahu Accuses Tehran of Using Hamas and Hezbollah to Interfere in Israeli Elections, Blasts Supreme Court and Prosecutors

“IRAN WANTS ME OUT”: Netanyahu Accuses Tehran of Using Hamas and Hezbollah to Interfere in Israeli Elections, Blasts Supreme Court and Prosecutors

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu accused Iran on Tuesday of attempting to influence Israel’s upcoming elections through Hamas and Hezbollah, warning that Tehran and its terrorist proxies are seeking to remove him from power as the country approaches what he described as an extremely close election. Speaking during an appearance on Channel 14’s “The Patriots” program, Netanyahu raised concerns about possible foreign interference in the October 27 vote and urged his supporters to turn out in large numbers, saying the election could be decided by a narrow margin. “Iran is trying to sabotage the elections through the terrorist arms of Hamas and Hezbollah,” Netanyahu declared, alleging that the Iranian regime is actively seeking to shape Israel’s political future. The prime minister claimed that Tehran’s opposition to his leadership stems from his government’s policies toward Iran and its regional terrorist organizations. “That is absolutely true – they openly say they need to bring me down, because their real desire is to destroy the State of Israel,” Netanyahu said. Netanyahu then turned to the political situation within Israel, expressing concern that the election remains too close to predict and that the outcome could depend heavily on voter participation. “I am very concerned. We are in a tight tie. We will decide this battle only if our public gets up and goes out to vote,” he said. The interview came amid heightened security concerns ahead of the elections, including warnings about possible attacks by terrorist organizations and fears that hostile forces could attempt to disrupt voting. Netanyahu also addressed reports concerning alleged intelligence warnings before the Hamas massacre of October 7, 2023, firmly rejecting claims that he had met with a senior Egyptian official who warned him about the impending attack. The prime minister said he had approached the relevant authorities to establish the facts surrounding the allegations and denied suggestions that he had attempted to secure an Egyptian denial of previous warnings. Earlier reports had also referred to Netanyahu’s visit to the United Arab Emirates at the invitation of the country’s president, but Netanyahu rejected any suggestion that the visit was connected to efforts to obtain a denial regarding intelligence warnings before October 7. Turning to security policy in Yehudah and Shomron, Netanyahu launched a sharp attack against Israel’s Supreme Court over proceedings involving the possible return of Palestinians to areas of Jenin and Tulkarm following Israeli military operations. “The Supreme Court wants to return the residents of Jenin and Tulkarm? It can want that – there is a limit to the madness! It simply will not happen,” Netanyahu declared. His remarks followed a visit earlier Tuesday to the security seam line, where he reviewed military preparations and emphasized that the IDF would maintain control over areas considered vital to Israel’s security. “The one who will control this territory and remain in it is the Israel Defense Forces. There will be no Arab army west of the Jordan River,” Netanyahu said during that visit. The prime minister also used the interview to criticize smaller political parties, warning voters that supporting certain factions could ultimately strengthen his political opponents. Netanyahu singled out former senior IDF officer Ofer Winter, suggesting that votes cast for his political movement could eventually benefit Avigdor Lieberman. “They are misleading the public. The danger with Winter is that he will pass the electoral threshold – and give his votes to Lieberman. His success is their success,” Netanyahu said. Netanyahu also demanded an immediate end to his ongoing corruption trial, following courtroom testimony by former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit, who authorized the original indictments against him. The prime minister argued that Mandelblit’s testimony had exposed serious problems with the investigation and prosecution, and called for those involved in what he described as a politically motivated campaign against him to be investigated. “This trial should never have started in the first place – and now it is time to stop it. Everyone who took part in this political witch hunt must be thoroughly investigated,” Netanyahu said. His remarks followed Mandelblit’s testimony, during which the former attorney general acknowledged that he had been unaware of certain details presented by Netanyahu’s defense attorney, Amit Hadad. Mandelblit nevertheless disputed suggestions that prosecutors had deliberately withheld information from him and maintained that his decisions in the Netanyahu cases had been made independently. “I did not make any decision in the Netanyahu cases under pressure,” Mandelblit testified. The interview coincided with separate warnings from Defense Minister Yisrael Katz, who said Tuesday that Israeli security officials had identified efforts by Iran and its proxies to promote attacks intended to influence the election results. Speaking at a ceremony marking the inauguration of the Irgun Museum and the Altalena cannon, Katz said Israeli authorities were closely monitoring potential threats connected to the approaching vote. Israeli security officials have also reportedly discussed scenarios involving coordinated attacks across several fronts, including Gaza, Lebanon, and Yehudah and Shomron, as the country prepares for the October 27 election.