Liberman seeks treason probe before vote

Avigdor Liberman, chairman of the Yisrael Beytenu party, formally requested that Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara open a criminal investigation into Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The petition, issued on Monday, cites suspicion of treason. This action does not confirm wrongdoing or guarantee that an investigation will begin.

The request follows a Sunday report by the N12 broadcaster. The report stated that Netanyahu and IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir clashed over a proposed military operation. The operation posed a risk of confrontation with Iran. The reported dispute occurred two days before the national election scheduled for October 27.

Liberman argued that the prime minister attempted to trigger military action to prevent the vote. In a post on X, he described the conduct as a betrayal of the state. He asserted that the chief of staff must protect soldiers from unnecessary risk and keep the military free from political use. On 103FM, Liberman criticized the leadership, stating, "The man has gone off the rails."

He further claimed that relations between the political leadership and the military are at their lowest point. Liberman attributed this strain to Netanyahu's efforts to provoke a miscalculation with Iran. He insisted that any action risking war requires a formal government decision.

Defense Minister Israel Katz rejected the accusations. He stated that coordination among the prime minister, the IDF, and his office has been complete since he took office. Katz denied that Israel intended to attack Iran before the election. He called reports of a dispute entirely false.

Katz accused opposition figures of using the reports to attack the prime minister and cast doubt on their judgment. He noted that the government often cannot discuss Iranian security details in public. He labeled the political effort shameful and irresponsible, adding, "We will overcome this too."