Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed Monday evening that Iran had attempted to assassinate one of his sons. The information had been barred from publication for months.
“There is something that is unbelievable,” Netanyahu said in an interview with Channel 14. “Iran ‘targeted’ one of my sons. It tried to assassinate one of my sons. That is why this security is not a luxury. Without it, they will succeed. People need to show restraint even during an election campaign.”
Benjamin Netanyahu and his sons Avner and Yair
(Photos: Moti Kimchi, Alex Kolomoisky, Menahem Kahana/Pool via Reuters)
The Ministerial Committee for Shin Bet Affairs approved on July 16 lifetime security protection for Netanyahu, while his wife, Sara, will be protected for as long as her husband is alive. The prime minister’s sons will continue to receive security protection for five years even after he leaves office. Since their protection has currently been approved through the end of 2026, the service will effectively continue until late 2031.
According to various sources, security officials, including the Shin Bet and Mossad, have determined that Netanyahu and his family will remain under a high-level threat for the rest of their lives because of the desire by Israel’s enemies to avenge operations and targeted killings carried out during the war.