Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz attend a graduation ceremony of new Israeli army officers at a base near Mitzpe Ramon, Israel, October 21, 2026. REUTERS/Amir Cohen
The denial followed reports by Channel 12 on Saturday that Netanyahu and Zamir had clashed over an instruction from the prime minister for unspecified military action.
“The reports of disagreements between the political leadership and the IDF on Iran are completely baseless and false,” Katz said in a statement reported by the Times of Israel. Katz said Israel had no intention of initiating an attack on Iran before the election but warned that any Iranian attack would prompt a forceful response. “I state unequivocally that Israel had no intention of initiating an attack on Iran before the elections in Israel, while making clear that if Iran attacks Israel, we will respond with great force,” Katz said, adding that “all reports on this matter are completely false”. Earlier reporting noted: Storm before Israel polls: Katz reacts to ‘Netanyahu-IDF rift’ over Iran strike plans People walk past a Likud party campaign billboard featuring Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu alongside opposition party leaders and bearing the Hebrew slogan “Right or Palestine,” ahead of Israel’s general election, in Beni Brak, Israel (AP) Earlier reporting noted: Israel’s defence minister Israel Katz on Monday denied reports of a rift between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel Defence Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Lt General Eyal Zamir over possible military action against Iran, calling the allegations “completely baseless and false” and saying Israel had no intention of launching an attack before Tuesday’s elections. Earlier reporting noted: “The reports of disagreements between the political leadership and the IDF on Iran are completely baseless and false,” Katz said in a statement.
Defence officials reportedly believed the move could trigger a rapid confrontation with Iran shortly before the election. Israeli defence minister Israel Katz on Monday denied reports of a major confrontation between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and military chief lieutenant general Eyal Zamir over possible military action against Iran, saying Israel had no plans to launch an attack before the country’s election. The reports came as US President Donald Trump renewed his endorsement of Netanyahu on Sunday, urging Israelis to vote for the prime minister in Tuesday’s election.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump praised their relationship and called Netanyahu an “outstanding Warrior Prime Minister”. He also urged voters to back Netanyahu, writing: “Vote for Bibi Netanyahu for Prime Minister, we have to finish the job that we started.”