Israel- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday that Iran had attempted to assassinate one of his two sons, apparently defending a controversial agreement to maintain their security protection even if he is defeated in the upcoming election.
In an interview with pro-government Channel 14, Netanyahu said, “Iran targeted one of my sons” and had tried to kill him. However, he did not identify which son was allegedly targeted or provide details about the reported plot.
Israeli Hebrew-language media reported that the alleged assassination attempt had been subject to a censorship order for several months. Channel 12 said Israel’s security establishment had been aware of the alleged plot for months.
Netanyahu appeared to be referring to an agreement with the Shin Bet security agency that provides continued protection for his sons, Yair and Avner, while also granting his wife, Sara, lifelong security coverage regardless of the outcome of the October 27 election.
The arrangement, reportedly reached in July, has drawn renewed attention following the Shin Bet’s decision not to provide a personal security detail to Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the Yashar party and Netanyahu’s main electoral rival. The agency said Monday that Eisenkot would be permitted to hire armed guards, but that the Shin Bet itself would not provide them.
Netanyahu argued that removing protection from his sons could put their lives at serious risk, saying that without the security measures, potential attackers “would succeed.”
Avner Netanyahu resides in Israel, while his older brother Yair, who is known for his outspoken right-wing views on social media, has spent much of the past several years in Miami. Channel 12 reported that the alleged assassination attempt occurred while Yair was outside Israel, but did not confirm whether he was the intended target.
The level of protection provided to Yair has previously faced criticism because of his extended residence abroad. Israeli media reported in 2024 that he was living in a luxury apartment complex in Miami and was accompanied by a chauffeur and two Shin Bet bodyguards from the agency’s elite Unit 730. The security arrangement was estimated to cost the Israeli government around NIS 200,000 ($55,000) per month.
Shin Bet protection for Netanyahu’s wife and children was originally approved in March 2023, following an incident in which hundreds of anti-government protesters gathered outside a Tel Aviv hair salon while Sara Netanyahu was inside. She subsequently said she feared for her safety.
