Netanyahu warns of nuclear threat in Israeli election campaign

Israelis vote for a new parliament on Tuesday, the first election since the Hamas massacre and the wars in Gaza and against Iran. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, facing a possible loss of power, published a dramatic image warning of an Iranian nuclear threat, which his main rival called "hysterical." Netanyahu posted an illustration showing a nuclear explosion over Tel Aviv, citing a "real and concrete existential threat" from Iran. He argued domestic debates are distractions, stating voters should choose "with a trembling hand" to avoid a "second Holocaust." Rival Gadi Eisenkot accused him of using "lies and fearmongering" after failing to achieve war goals against Iran. Polls show Netanyahu's right-religious bloc at around 50 seats, below the 61-seat majority threshold in the 120-seat Knesset. The opposition holds 52 to 56 seats, with Arab parties potentially playing a key role with 14 to 16 mandates. No clear majority for either bloc has emerged.