Netanyahu Floats New Iran Strike Before Israel Vote as 500,000 Dual Citizens Eye US Midterms
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Oct 26
Netanyahu Floats New Iran Strike Before Israel Vote as 500,000 Dual Citizens Eye US Midterms
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Oct 26
Summary
Tuesday's Israeli election has become a referendum on war, with Benjamin Netanyahu using the campaign to raise the prospect of fresh strikes on Iran and renew unproven claims about its nuclear threat.
Netanyahu is trying to rebuild his security credentials after the October 7 attacks, while Donald Trump has publicly backed his re-election and urged both men to "finish the job" in Iran.
Conflicting reports say Trump also tried to restrain any pre-election attack, worried another energy-price spike would hurt Republicans before next week's US midterms.
Israeli media speculate Netanyahu could still order strikes after the vote to bolster his survival as caretaker prime minister, though rival Gadi Eisenkot has ruled out joining a unity government formed around such a move.
The election stakes extend beyond Israel: about 500,000 Israelis with US passports can vote in both contests, and any renewed Iran fighting could further disrupt the Strait of Hormuz, energy markets and US support for Israel.