Liberman demands treason case against Netanyahu with one day left until vote

Avigdor Liberman is asking the state prosecutor to open a criminal investigation into Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on suspicion of treason. The request was made on Monday, one day before the October 27 general election. Liberman, who leads the Yisrael Beytenu party, stated that the petition does not confirm wrongdoing or guarantee that a formal inquiry will begin.

The move follows a Sunday report by N12. The broadcaster said Netanyahu and IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir clashed over a planned military action that risked a direct confrontation with Iran. Liberman pointed to this reported dispute as evidence that the prime minister is using the military for political ends.

In a post on X on Sunday, Liberman argued that Netanyahu tried to push Israel toward war to stop the vote. He called the alleged conduct a betrayal of the state. He also said the chief of staff must prevent the army from being used for political goals and must protect soldiers from unnecessary risk.

Speaking to 103FM on Monday, Liberman explained his reasoning. "The man has gone off the rails," he said. "One day he's preparing a crypto bomb for us, and the next day an atomic bomb. He just said he had destroyed all of Iran's bombs, and now he's dropping bombs on Tel Aviv?" He added that relations between the military and political leadership are at their most strained point in history. He said this strain is the result of Netanyahu trying to provoke a miscalculation with Iran.

Liberman said any military action that could lead to war must be decided by the government, not the prime minister alone. He argued the chief of staff is strong enough to insist on the law.

Defense Minister Israel Katz rejected the accusations. He said there is no strain between the IDF and the political leadership. He stated that coordination on the Iran issue has been complete since he took office. Katz said Israel has no intention of attacking Iran before the election. He said Israel will respond with force if Iran strikes first. He called reports of a pre-emptive strike entirely false. He accused opposition figures of using the reports to attack Netanyahu and himself. He called the effort shameful and irresponsible. He added: "We will overcome this too."