Tel Aviv:Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly taking significant steps to maintain his position in power, with allegations that he is attempting to provoke a confrontation with Iran.
According to Maan News Agency, Haaretz military analyst Amos Harel has highlighted that Netanyahu appears to be disregarding signals from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has expressed his desire to end the conflict with Iran. Harel's analysis notes the growing concern within Israeli leadership about the potential for renewed tensions in the Gulf region.
A series of exchanges on Wednesday between Netanyahu and his political rivals in the Change Camp have underscored the escalating disputes over the prospect of a new confrontation, despite Trump's recent statements suggesting that the war was "practically over" and that resumption was unlikely at this time. Knesset member Gadi Eisenkot, tasked with forming the government, has urged Netanyahu to exercise caution and delay any potentially dangerous actions until a new government is formed.
Netanyahu's office has defended its decisions as being solely for security reasons and coordinated with the security establishment, dismissing Eisenkot's concerns as an "irresponsible step." Meanwhile, Eisenkot has sought intervention from the government's legal advisor to ensure he receives necessary security briefings.
The Change Camp is pushing to appoint Avigdor Lieberman as chairman of the parliamentary Foreign Affairs and Security Committee, to enhance oversight of Netanyahu's actions, especially regarding allegations of interference in election results. Harel indicates that these moves are partly influenced by the broader issue of Iran, with the Likud party seeking to delay committee discussions.
Eisenkot's recent actions also aim to publicly support Israeli army chief of staff Eyal Zamir, who, along with other senior officers, opposed Netanyahu's attempts to gain U.S. approval for military action against Iran. Harel concludes that Netanyahu's recent efforts might be aimed at escalating tensions with Iran to strengthen his political position, a move that the Israeli army views with concern due to potential disruptions to the political process.