Shin Bet Confirms: Significant Threat Against Yair Netanyahu Prompted Urgent Return to Israel

The Shin Bet confirmed Saturday evening (Shabbat) reports that Yair Netanyahu, the prime minister’s son, was urgently brought back to Israel from the United States following a significant threat against him. The decision was made after a situation assessment, and Netanyahu was extracted along with the security team that was with him.

In a statement, the Shin Bet said: "There was indeed a significant threat against Yair Netanyahu, and in light of this, and following a situation assessment, a decision was made to urgently extract him, together with the security team, back to Israel."

According to published details, the security team accompanying Netanyahu was not sufficient to handle the incident in real time. At the same time, President Isaac Herzog landed in New York, and two members of the security teams accompanying him, including a senior commander, quickly left the president and were called in to assist in the operation to return Netanyahu to Israel.

After the additional forces joined, Yair Netanyahu was swiftly taken to the airport, from where he flew to Israel later that same night.

The Shin Bet’s official confirmation comes after the American network Newsmax reported earlier this week that Yair Netanyahu had been the target of an Iranian assassination plot while living in South Florida. According to the report, a U.S. law enforcement official said, "Israeli intelligence discovered last December an Iranian plot to assassinate Yair Netanyahu while he was living in Hallandale Beach near Miami."

According to that report, Iranian agents were already in the area where Netanyahu lived and were monitoring his movements and residence. Following the intelligence information and the warning that was received, Netanyahu was instructed to leave the United States immediately and return to Israel.

According to the report, the departure happened so quickly that Netanyahu flew to Israel without taking his belongings with him. Since that incident, he has returned to living in Israel.