Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted an image depicting a nuclear explosion over Tel Aviv on Sunday, warning voters that Israel faces an existential threat if Iran obtains nuclear weapons. Israeli media described the image as SI-generated.

Prime Minster Netanyahu
Credit: Prime Minster Netanyahu

The post, published two days before Tuesday’s election, featured statements by right-wing commentator Yuval Blumberg alongside a mushroom cloud rising over the city skyline. The accompanying message argued that Israel has roughly two years remaining in President Donald Trump’s term to complete its efforts against Iran’s nuclear threat.

The message also dismissed domestic political controversies as distractions and questioned whether a prime minister unable to maintain a close relationship with Trump or withstand pressure during a television interview could finish the mission. Although Netanyahu did not name an opponent, opposition leaders interpreted the post as an attack on his challengers.

Gadi Eisenkot, a former Israel Defense Forces chief of staff who leads the Yashar party, accused Netanyahu of spreading lies and using fear to influence voters. Eisenkot also accused the prime minister of threatening Israelis with mass destruction while failing to achieve the objectives of the war against Iran.

“Netanyahu, you're in a hysteria,” Eisenkot wrote on X, predicting that voters would deliver their judgment on Tuesday.

Yair Golan, chairman of the left-wing Democrats party, also criticized the post and called for Netanyahu to be kept away from social media. The platform attached a user-submitted context note stating that Netanyahu had previously described Iran as no longer posing an existential threat.

The controversy comes amid accusations that Netanyahu is seeking to resume military action against Iran before the election to influence the vote or delay it. Netanyahu has denied those allegations and separately rejected reports that Trump blocked a planned Israeli offensive, calling that reporting “incorrect.”

Israel’s Channel 13 reported Thursday that Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir told a private meeting he saw no operational need for a strike against Iran before the election. Zamir reportedly added that the military would act if an attack became necessary.

Israeli voters head to the polls Tuesday to elect all 120 members of the Knesset, the country’s parliament. A party or coalition needs at least 61 seats to secure a majority.