Netanyahu warns Israel's enemies 'don't mess with us' ahead of elections as rivals demand proof of genuine threat

From the Newshound archive · first published 29 September 2026 · last updated 30 September 2026.

Opposition figures, including Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot — currently ahead of Benjamin Netanyahu in the polls — have demanded a security briefing after the Israeli prime minister warned that Israel's enemies may…

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that "there are signs" Israel's enemies will try to attack the country before next month's elections, issuing a direct threat: "Our long arm will reach you anywhere, anytime." Opposition figures immediately demanded a security briefing, with Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot — currently ahead of Netanyahu in the polls — warning the statement could be "a political manoeuvre intended to harm the election." Netanyahu's warning came during a video address at Tel Nof Airbase as the anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attack approaches.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid wrote on X: 'When there's an election, suddenly he takes the warnings seriously.'

Netanyahu has also filed defamation lawsuits over reports that Egypt and the UAE warned Israel before the October 7 attack.

The TimesAt ground zero of October 7, Binyamin Netanyahu draws both derision and devotion Irish IndependentNetanyahu projects image as Israel's protector despite Hamas attack The Jewish Chronicle‘There are signs our enemies will try to attack Israel before elections’ - warns Netanyahu AzerNewsNetanyahu warns of possible attacks ahead of election - AzerNews

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