Israeli Politics: Liberman Seeks Treason Probe of Netanyahu

With Israel scheduled to hold elections on October 27, political tensions have intensified regarding the country's military posture toward Iran. Yisrael Beytenu chairman Avigdor Liberman formally requested that Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara open a criminal investigation into Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The inquiry would focus on suspicion of treason. Liberman issued this demand in a statement on Monday. The request does not confirm wrongdoing, nor does it indicate that an investigation has already begun.

The call for legal action followed a Sunday report by N12. The broadcaster alleged that Netanyahu and IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir clashed over a proposed military operation. The operation could have triggered a confrontation with Iran. This reported dispute occurred just two days before the national vote.

On Sunday, Liberman posted on X that he believed Netanyahu was pushing for military action to prevent the election from taking place. He described the conduct as a betrayal of the state and its security apparatus. He argued that the chief of staff has a duty to prevent the military from being used for political ends and to protect soldiers from unnecessary risk.

In a Monday interview with 103FM, Liberman confirmed he would approach the attorney-general. He characterized the prime minister's behavior as erratic. "The man has gone off the rails," Liberman said. "One day he's preparing a crypto bomb for us, and the next day an atomic bomb. He just said he had destroyed all of Iran's bombs, and now he's dropping bombs on Tel Aviv?"

Liberman stated that relations between the military and political leadership are at their most strained point in history. He attributed this friction to Netanyahu's efforts to provoke a miscalculation with Iran. He maintained that any action with potential for large-scale confrontation requires a government discussion and decision. He viewed the chief of staff as strong enough to insist on upholding the law in this context.

Defense Minister Israel Katz rejected the accusations on Monday. He stated there was no strain between the IDF and the political leadership. Katz said coordination among the prime minister, himself, and the IDF regarding Iran has been complete since he took office. He described the security achievements as historic and unprecedented.

Katz stated unequivocally that Israel had no intention of initiating an attack on Iran before the elections. He noted that Israel signaled it would respond with great force if attacked, and he called reports to the contrary entirely false. He accused opposition figures of exploiting the reports to cast doubt on their judgment. He called the effort shameful and irresponsible, adding: "We will overcome this too."