Netanyahu Says Iran Tried to Kill His Son

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday that Iran tried to assassinate one of his two sons.

He made the claim in a telephone interview with Channel 14's military correspondent Noam Amir, broadcast the same day.

Netanyahu gave no details about when the alleged plot took place, which son was targeted, or how close it came to being carried out, Reuters reported.

He used the allegation to defend security protection for his family — and to demand it for his rivals — two months before Israel's October 27 general election.

What He Said

"As for my sons. Here, I think there is something quite unbelievable, yes. Iran targeted one of my sons. Iran tried to kill, to murder one of my sons," Netanyahu told Channel 14, according to Reuters.

"Iran tried to murder one of my sons, and therefore this security protection is not a luxury," he said.

In the Jerusalem Post's account of the same call, Netanyahu told Amir: "Iran tried to murder one of my sons. And this is why this promise [I am making] is more than a luxury — without it, they could succeed [in killing my son.] People need to show some restraint, especially during an election campaign."

Netanyahu said he had spoken with Shin Bet chief David Zini and asked him "to provide appropriate security to any prime ministerial candidate."