Netanyahu and Eisenkot clash over Iran before Israeli vote

Benjamin Netanyahu and challenger Gadi Eisenkot are making Iran and Israel’s security the focus of a closely contested election, with both men presenting sharply different approaches to the threat and neither major bloc projected to secure a governing majority. Netanyahu has argued that he is best positioned to confront Iran and has invoked U.S. President Donald Trump’s backing. Trump endorsed the Israeli prime minister and urged voters to support him, saying the two countries needed to finish the job in Iran. Netanyahu also posted an AI-generated image depicting a nuclear explosion over Tel Aviv as part of his campaign messaging. Eisenkot, a former military chief, says Iran’s nuclear program must be stopped, including by military force if necessary. He has rejected regime change in Tehran as an achievable goal and called for greater emphasis on diplomacy. Netanyahu has accused Eisenkot and his allies of being unable to destroy Iran’s nuclear program; Eisenkot has said he opposes creating a Palestinian state, contrary to Netanyahu’s campaign allegation that his rivals would establish one. The campaign has also turned on responsibility for the Hamas-led attack of October 7,...