Likudski poslanik Saada otkriva mogućnost predstojećeg izraelskoga napada na Iran u intervjuu na Kanalu 14

MK Moshe Saada, a member of the Likud party, stated during an interview with Channel 14 News that Israel is approaching an attack on Iran, possibly as soon as this weekend. This revelation came amidst rising tensions between the United States and Iran, with assessments suggesting a potential escalation in the near future. Saada's remarks, delivered on Thursday, were made during a discussion on regional security issues. The Channel 14 interview quickly became a focal point, with the channel highlighting the comments under the title “MK Moshe Saada’s slip of the tongue.” However, this was not the first instance in which Saada had expressed concerns about an imminent military operation against Iran. In the days prior, Saada had made similar statements, suggesting that military action could occur within days. These repeated assertions led many to believe that his comments were intentional rather than an accident. Despite this, the Prime Minister’s Office expressed frustration over the remarks, indicating that they were taken very seriously. Channel 13 News reporter Michael Shemesh reported that the Prime Minister’s Office was upset with Saada’s comments, viewing them as potentially compromising national security. Saada later attempted to clarify his remarks, stating that he was referring to an attack by the United States, specifically mentioning former President Donald Trump. He urged listeners to watch the full interview to understand his position better. Nevertheless, officials from the Prime Minister’s Office dismissed these explanations, claiming that Saada had no knowledge of any new intelligence regarding the conflict and was simply engaging in speculation. One official told Ynet that Saada was not involved in any security discussions and was merely repeating information he had heard elsewhere. Meanwhile, the situation in the West Bank saw another development. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich ordered the acceleration of the establishment of the planned settlement of Shalem in Samaria following a violent incident near the Derech Avraham Farm. The attack resulted in the serious wounding of a farmer, Itamar Cohen, who was stabbed by two Palestinians before being killed by Israeli civilians. An investigation is ongoing to determine whether the fire that sparked the incident was deliberately set to draw attention to the area. Smotrich directed officials to map unauthorized Palestinian structures in the vicinity and expedite enforcement actions against them. These measures aim to enhance governance and security in the region. The proposed settlement of Shalem is located between Elon Moreh, Beit Furik, and Beit Dajan, near the site of the attack. While the plan was already approved by the security cabinet, Smotrich’s directive brings the initiative closer to implementation by expediting the process of transforming the current settlement outpost into a formal community. Despite the urgency of the directive, no specific dates have been set for the commencement of construction, nor have officials disclosed the number of families expected to reside in the area or the financial allocation for the project. The strategic importance of Shalem lies in its potential to extend Israeli presence east of Nablus, creating a contiguous settlement corridor and strengthening control over key roads and open spaces. This development coincides with broader efforts by the government to establish new communities and legitimize existing settlement points in Judea and Samaria. The initiative includes the legalization of various outposts and farms, some of which had previously been evacuated. Supporters argue that such settlements are essential for security and to counter perceived Palestinian encroachment on land. Opponents, however, warn that these actions risk further fragmenting the territory and undermining Palestinian territorial cohesion. As the situation continues to evolve, the implications of Saada’s remarks and Smotrich’s decisions remain under scrutiny, reflecting the complex interplay of domestic politics and regional security dynamics.