October 22, 2026
The Israeli Diaspora Minister, Amichai Shekli, revealed that Israel is making preparations for the possibility of Iran taking an offensive step in the near future, noting that current efforts are mainly focused on the defensive side, stressing that “the story with Iran is not over yet.”
Shikli’s statements came during an interview he conducted with Gadi Ness on Radio Shamal 104.5FM, where he touched on several political and security files, most notably the position of former National Security Council Chairman Tzachi Hanegbi, and the meeting that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held with the US Secretary of Defense during his recent visit to Israel.
Regarding internal political matters, Shikli launched a sharp attack on Hanegbi against the backdrop of his announcement of his support for the head of the “Israel Beytenu” party, Avigdor Lieberman, in the upcoming elections, describing this support as “a miserable matter.” He also criticized Hanegbi’s performance during his tenure as head of the National Security Council on the eve of the October 7 events, considering that he was a “very weak president” who did not play his primary role in challenging the perceptions of the security establishment and presenting an independent position in line with the prime minister’s agenda.
Shekli continued his attack targeting Avigdor Lieberman, describing him as “a violent person, convicted of assaulting a minor, surrounded by corruption cases, and unworthy of public office,” adding that he does not see him as a representative even of the Russian public in Israel, which he described as a respectable public that is serious about its work.
Regarding the Iranian file and Netanyahu’s meeting with the US Secretary of Defense, Shikli explained that he did not have specific details about what was discussed in the meeting, but he considered that the mere holding of this meeting reflects the existence of important security preparations at the defense level, warning that Iran may seek steps to turn the tide, which requires preparation for every possible scenario.
Shekli appreciated the public support provided by the US President to Netanyahu, considering that his statements show the prime minister’s steadfastness in the face of difficult moments that almost toppled others, and he used the occasion to attack Netanyahu’s political rivals, including Naftali Bennett, Avigdor Lieberman, and Gadi Eisenkot, accusing them of adopting positions of withdrawal or opposition to the military campaigns that achieved amazing achievements in Gaza, Lebanon, and confronting Iran, as he put it.
At the conclusion of the interview, Shikli rejected talk about the existence of a state of panic or hysteria within the Likud Party as a result of opinion polls, considering that these polls aim to mislead public opinion and are conducted as part of political campaigns. He stressed that the public is aware of the tremendous achievements achieved by the Prime Minister under inhuman pressure, pointing to the significant decline that Hezbollah has suffered in its leadership and military capabilities compared to previous periods.
