"Security alarm" - and the message of the IDF
Commentator Ron Ben-Yishai claims that Netanyahu and Katz are running a security scare campaign to increase Likud's support in the elections, despite the absence of concrete intelligence information about an immediate Iranian threat. He warns against miscalculation and criticizes the belligerent statements as baseless.
Commentator Ron Ben-Yishai claims that Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Katz are running a security scare campaign aimed at increasing Likud's support in the upcoming elections, while there is no concrete intelligence information about an Iranian or Hezbollah intention to attack Israel before or after the elections. The article describes a debate within the Iranian leadership, described as more fanatical and jihadist than ever, over whether to attack before Trump and Netanyahu attack it. The real concern is miscalculation – a misinterpretation of American and Israeli preparations for a possible attack. Ben-Yishai criticizes the statements of Netanyahu and Katz as lacking an intelligence basis, and notes that they might actually increase the chance of an Iranian mistake. He accuses Netanyahu of harming Israel's relations with Arab countries after presenting the rebels in Sudan as allies in his security concept map. The IDF, for its part, is increasing readiness to deter Iran and its proxies, but also to hint to the political echelon that the elections should be held as scheduled.