Netanyahu's Wife Accuses Army Leaders Of Planning Coup
Sarah Netanyahu accused Israel's army chiefs of seeking to carry out a coup against her husband, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Haaretz reported on Tuesday, based on leaked audio obtained by the newspaper.
In a meeting last week with families of some of the captives held by Hamas in Gaza, Sarah Netanyahu stated several times in the tape that she has no confidence in the army's senior officers. The families became upset by Mrs Netanyahu's comments, saying the fate of their captive family members depended on the army.
In response, Mrs Netanyahu clarified her comments. She said that her lack of confidence is not in the army as a whole but in its senior commanders. Haaretz adds that she "vehemently claimed that they are interested in carrying out a coup" and repeated the claim multiple times.
The meeting was also attended by army officers, including Colonel (Ret.) Verda Pomerantz, formerly head of the casualty division, and Gal Hirsch, a former army commander tasked by the prime minister to coordinate the government's effort to free the captives. Sarah's statements were brought to the attention of senior officers in the army.
The meeting took place a few days after the Prime Minister's son, Yair Netanyahu, attacked the army chiefs as well, accusing them of treason.
On Saturday, Yair shared a video in which Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, Shin Bet Chief Ronan Bar, and retired Army military intelligence chief Aharon Haleva were called "fatal failures” for not preventing the 7 October Hamas attack.
After that, Yair also posted on the social media site X, writing, "What are they (army chiefs) trying to hide? If there was no treason, why are they so afraid that external and independent parties will check what happened?"
A statement issued by the prime minister's office on behalf of Sarah Netanyahu said she had been "working on her own initiative for the families of the abducted, the bereaved families, the families of the murdered and all the circles of pain associated with this difficult war, and helps as much as she can."
The statement then called the leak of the audio a "heinous injustice. Despite the voices that try to harm her and loosen her hands, Mrs Netanyahu will continue her activities for those who were harmed in the war and prays for the speedy return home of all 120 abductees."
On 7 October, members of the Hamas wing, the Qassam Brigades, crossed through the Gaza border fence to attack Israeli military bases and settlements. In the process, they took some 240 Israeli soldiers and civilians as captives.
Some captives were released in a temporary ceasefire deal in November, while many others have been killed by the same Israeli bombing of Gaza that has killed a reported over 37,000 Palestinians. It is estimated that 120 remain captives of Hamas and other groups such as Islamic Jihad (PIJ).
#Haretz
— 6180339X (@6180339X) June 25, 2024
In a meeting with hostage families, PM #Netanyahu's wife Sara accused IDF chiefs of seeking to stage a military coup against her husband.
Remember, Sara Netanyahu has been already sentenced for corruption, she faced up to 5 years in prison on the charges against her. pic.twitter.com/DQW49ATwUW
Roughly 1,200 Israelis were killed during the 7 October Hamas attack, known as Operation Al-Aqsa Flood. Some were killed by Qassam fighters. Others were killed by Israeli forces, which responded to the attack using heavy weapons from helicopters, drones, and tanks.
The Israeli army issued the Hannibal Directive, ordering its forces to kill Israelis to prevent them from being taken captive by Hamas. As a result, Israeli forces themselves may have killed many of the Israelis who died on 7 October.