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Opposition leader and former Israeli defense minister Avigdor Liberman said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could launch a military operation against Iran, Hamas or Hezbollah ahead of the general elections in order to hold on to power. Speaking at an event reported by Israel Hayom, Liberman said Netanyahu is driven by a desire to remain in office rather than by security concerns.

Lieberman said he had "no doubt whatsoever" that Netanyahu was working hard to take military action against Iran, Hezbollah or Hamas before the vote. He also ruled out including Netanyahu in any government likely to be formed by the opposition after the elections, saying the prime minister should not serve in any ministerial post and that "he has to go."

Netanyahu recently visited the border of the occupied West Bank, where he repeated his claim that Israel faces attack threats ahead of the elections. Defense Minister Yisrael Katz had also asserted that Iran was planning attacks intended to influence the outcome of the general elections scheduled for October 27.

Key Takeaways

• Opposition figure Avigdor Liberman accused Netanyahu of being motivated by a wish to stay in power, not security concerns
• Lieberman said he has no doubt Netanyahu is seeking military action against Iran, Hamas or Hezbollah before the elections
• Lieberman excluded Netanyahu from any post-election opposition-led government and said the prime minister must leave