Liberman seeks treason case against Netanyahu

Avigdor Liberman asked Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara on Monday to open a criminal investigation into Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The request cites suspicion of treason. Liberman, who leads the Yisrael Beytenu party, issued a statement confirming the petition. The move does not confirm wrongdoing or guarantee an inquiry will begin.

The petition follows a Sunday report by N12. The broadcaster alleged that Netanyahu and IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir clashed over a military plan. The proposed operation risked triggering a confrontation with Iran. The reported dispute surfaced just 48 hours before the October 27 election.

Liberman posted on X on Sunday that he believes Netanyahu sought military action to halt the vote. He called the conduct a betrayal of state security. He argued that the chief of staff must prevent the military from serving political goals and protect soldiers from extra risk.

On Monday, Liberman told 103FM he would formally approach the attorney-general. "The man has gone off the rails," he said. He criticized the prime minister for shifting from a crypto bomb threat to an atomic bomb, and then claiming to have destroyed Iran's bombs while dropping them on Tel Aviv.

Liberman stated that relations between the military and political leadership are at their most strained point ever. He attributed this to Netanyahu's attempt to provoke a miscalculation with Iran. He added that the chief of staff has the strength to enforce the law. Any action risking war, in his view, requires a government decision.

Defense Minister Israel Katz rejected the accusations on Monday. He said coordination among the prime minister, himself, and the IDF on the Iran issue has been complete since his appointment. Katz described Israel's security achievements as unprecedented. He stated unequivocally that Israel had no intention of starting an attack on Iran before the elections.

Katz called reports of tension entirely false. He accused opposition figures of using the story to attack the prime minister and himself. He noted the government cannot discuss Iranian details in detail at this time. He called the effort shameful and irresponsible. "We will overcome this too," he said.