Netanyahu posts a picture of a nuclear explosion over Tel Aviv

The opposition accused Netanyahu of intimidation and fear-mongering at the last minute, while his supporters present the post as a legitimate warning of the Iranian threat.

The image shows a massive, fiery orange mushroom cloud rising over the skyscraper-packed city of Tel Aviv, with a circular shockwave extending from the base of the explosion through the buildings, and a seascape in the background.

In its style, it appears to be AI-generated, and media outlets have described it as depicting a nuclear explosion over Tel Aviv. The attached image does not include any landmark identifying the city, as its buildings are generic, and its identification as Tel Aviv is based on what was mentioned in press coverage.

The text begins by stating that Israel is in "real and tangible existential danger," and that if the Iranians obtain a nuclear weapon, "nothing will change after that," and that everything else is "secondary" to the existential threat posed by Iran and the "Shiite axis." It describes the renewed political arguments as "manufactured and fabricated storms" aimed at diverting attention from the most important issue: "finishing the job in Iran."

The text sets a timeframe, noting that Israel has "two more years of Trump" to complete the mission, and no one knows what will come after, hinting at the possibility of Kamala Harris or someone similar reaching the White House. It calls for harnessing "all state resources" for this mission. It then lists current controversial issues, from Qatar and the Haredim to conscription and warnings, labeling them all a "huge smoke screen" to hide the only subject that towers above all others. It asks: "If two atomic bombs fell in the center of the country, who would care about all these empty storms?"

In the second part, the text moves to undermine Netanyahu's alternatives without naming them. The mission, according to it, will not be achieved with a "prime minister held by the throat by the Muslim Brotherhood and terror enablers," nor with a prime minister "who cannot pick up the phone and have an intimate and continuous conversation with Trump," nor with someone "who cannot handle the pressure of a television interview."

It says that the hatred for Netanyahu, "however much it may be an entire world for an entire camp," will not help against the Iranian nuclear threat. It concludes that anyone who cares about their physical existence and the existence of their family "should have their hand tremble" before choosing someone who will not be able to complete the mission, because by doing so, they are "sentencing themselves and their family to the danger of a second Shoah" due to their "political hatred" or a "foolish, imaginary storm."

Angry reactions

The strongest response came from Gadi Eisenkot, leader of "Yashar" and Netanyahu's most prominent rival, who wrote on "X": "You are hysterical." He added that the style is the same in every election campaign: lies and fear-mongering. He considered that Netanyahu is this time threatening Israeli citizens with total destruction, after failing to achieve the war's goals in Iran.

As for the leader of the "Democrats" party, Yair Golan, he wrote sarcastically that the Prime Minister of Israel posted a picture of an atomic bomb over Tel Aviv. "i24 News" reported that he demanded the Prime Minister be removed from social media, while the "Daily Beirut" website, citing "Ynet," said he accused Netanyahu of inciting panic.

Contradiction with previous statements

The "Times of Israel" pointed out that the post contradicts previous statements by Netanyahu that the Iranian nuclear program had been significantly destroyed. Swedish media quoted the newspaper as saying that he had stated last year that Israel had "avoided the danger of nuclear annihilation" after bombing Iran in the summer of 2025.

Tense context

The post comes a week after US President Donald Trump endorsed Netanyahu on October 18 and hinted at finishing the job in Iran. The "Times of Israel" reported that Netanyahu had asked Trump for another public show of support before the elections, according to a report. Israel is heading to the polls on Tuesday, October 27, amid polls placing "Yashar" in the lead without giving any bloc a majority.

Source: RT