Israel's Opposition Leader Says Netanyahu Fabricated Iran Nuclear Claims to Frighten Public

JERUSALEM, July 1: Israeli opposition leader and former military chief Gadi Eisenkot on Wednesday accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of fabricating claims about Iran possessing nuclear weapons to frighten the Israeli public.

Speaking at a conference in central Israel, Eisenkot said Netanyahu's recent statements on Iran's nuclear capabilities were false, according to Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth.

"Netanyahu said repugnant things. Iran had no nuclear bombs whatsoever. He is fabricating reality to frighten the Israeli public," Eisenkot was quoted as saying.

The remarks were in response to comments Netanyahu made in an interview with Channel 14 on Tuesday, in which he claimed: "I entered Iran twice to save us from annihilation by atomic bombs that were already in their hands."

Eisenkot, who served as Israel's chief of staff from 2015 to 2019 and announced this week that he intends to run for prime minister, challenged the prime minister's characterization of Iran's nuclear capabilities.

Israel has repeatedly argued that Iran's nuclear and missile programmes pose a threat to its security, while Tehran insists its nuclear programme is solely for peaceful purposes and denies seeking nuclear weapons.

No international body has confirmed that Iran possesses nuclear weapons.

Netanyahu's comments come as Israel prepares for general elections expected in the coming months, with tensions over Iran remaining a central issue in domestic politics.

Israel is widely believed by international experts to possess nuclear weapons, although it has neither confirmed nor denied having a nuclear arsenal, and its nuclear facilities are not subject to International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards.