Israeli Officials Threaten to Assassinate Khamenei

A photo released by the Israeli Ministry of Defense showing F-22 and F-35 fighter jets during a military mission (Archive Photo)
A photo released by the Israeli Ministry of Defense showing F-22 and F-35 fighter jets during a military mission (Archive Photo)
TT

Israeli Officials Threaten to Assassinate Khamenei

A photo released by the Israeli Ministry of Defense showing F-22 and F-35 fighter jets during a military mission (Archive Photo)
A photo released by the Israeli Ministry of Defense showing F-22 and F-35 fighter jets during a military mission (Archive Photo)

As Tel Aviv and Washington discuss Israel’s response to a recent Iranian missile attack, Israeli officials hinted at a threat against Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Amichai Chikli, the Minister for Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism, is one of the officials that made such comments after Khamenei posted on X following Iran’s launch of around 200 ballistic missiles at Israel.
In response to Khamenei’s remarks, Chikli wrote, “You are the root of all problems in our region, but that won’t last long.”
Analysts connected his remarks to previous threats from higher-ranking officials.
Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana warned Khamenei in a post, saying his end is near and to “say hello to your end.”
Israeli Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi issued a more ambiguous threat.
“This is not the last we have to offer... Anyone who threatens Israeli citizens will be reached,” said Halevi.
“We are fully prepared on all fronts, and our forces must ensure complete readiness and coordination with other agencies,” he emphasized.
After the Iranian attack on Israel, Reuters reported that Khamenei was moved to a secure location, as confirmed by a reliable source. The source stated that Khamenei ordered the missile strikes on Israel.
Iran aimed to communicate that the attack was a response to the deaths of key figures like Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. However, Israeli leaders have stated their determination to keep the score open and retaliate strongly against the assault.



Netanyahu Takes the Stand on Day 4 of Corruption Trials

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends his trial on corruption charges at the district court in Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (AP)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends his trial on corruption charges at the district court in Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (AP)
TT

Netanyahu Takes the Stand on Day 4 of Corruption Trials

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends his trial on corruption charges at the district court in Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (AP)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends his trial on corruption charges at the district court in Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (AP)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took the stand on the fourth day of testimony in his corruption trials Wednesday, saying the accusations against him are “idiotic.”

Netanyahu, the first sitting Israeli leader to take the stand as a criminal defendant, is on trial on charges of fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in three separate cases.

He was supposed to testify on Tuesday, but it was canceled after he requested a postponement due to “security reasons.”

Netanyahu toured the summit of Mount Hermon, part of the Syrian buffer zone that Israeli forces seized after President Bashar Assad was ousted by the opposition last week. It appeared to be the first time an Israeli leader had set foot that far into Syria.

The testimony, set to take place six hours a day, three days a week for several weeks, will take up a significant chunk of Netanyahu’s working hours, prompting critics to ask if he can capably manage a country embroiled in a war on one front, containing the fallout from a second, and keeping tabs on other potential regional threats, including from Iran.