‘Nuclear threat will overshadow all’: Netanyahu’s Iran warning ahead of polls

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has shared a warning by author Yuval Blumberg that Israel must use the remaining two years of US President Donald Trump’s term to address what Blumberg describes as an existential threat from Iran, arguing that domestic political disputes should not distract the country from the Iranian nuclear threat.

Netanyahu posted an image depicting an atomic bomb over Tel Aviv on his X account alongside Blumberg’s statement. The post comes two days before Israel’s October 27 parliamentary election, as Netanyahu seeks to make national security and his relationship with Trump central to his re-election campaign.

Blumberg argued that the remaining period of Trump’s presidency represents a critical opportunity for Israel to pursue its objectives against Iran. He questioned what might happen after Trump leaves office in 2028 and whether a successor would provide the same level of support.

In the statement shared by Netanyahu, Blumberg said future generations would not forgive Israel’s current leadership if it missed what he described as a historic opportunity to address the Iranian threat. He also argued that Israel’s resources should be directed towards that mission.

Blumberg also invoked the possibility of a nuclear attack on Israel, arguing that Iran’s acquisition of atomic weapons would overshadow all other political disputes. He described controversies involving Qatar, the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community and military conscription as distractions from what he considers Israel’s most pressing security challenge.

He also criticised Netanyahu’s potential successors, arguing that a prime minister unable to maintain close ties with Trump or withstand domestic political pressure would struggle to complete the mission against Iran. Blumberg urged voters to prioritise national security over political opposition to Netanyahu, warning of catastrophic consequences if Israel missed the current opportunity.

The remarks come amid heightened political debate over Israel’s security policy ahead of the October 27 election. Trump endorsed Netanyahu’s re-election bid on October 18, reinforcing the Israeli prime minister’s argument that their partnership is important to confronting Iran.