Yair Netanyahu, the eldest son of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was evacuated from the United States due to a threat to his life, according to Israel's domestic intelligence agency, Shin Bet. The agency stated on Saturday evening that there was a significant threat to harm Yair Netanyahu, prompting the decision to urgently evacuate him along with his security team back to Israel. The source of the threat was not specified.
US broadcaster Newsmax reported that Yair Netanyahu was allegedly the target of an Iranian assassination plot last December while residing in Florida. Israeli intelligence informed US authorities after learning of the alleged plot, as cited by a US law enforcement official. This information emerged after Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Israel's Channel 14 that "Iran targeted one of my sons. Iran tried to kill, to murder one of my sons."
Yair Netanyahu, who was accompanied by an Israeli security team, was instructed to leave the area immediately, according to Newsmax. He departed without his personal belongings and returned directly to Israel. His residency in Florida had drawn public attention in Israel, particularly regarding his lifestyle and the state-funded security provided to him. His continued stay in the US following the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, faced criticism from many Israelis, who questioned the double standard of his remaining overseas while many Israeli reservists were called up. Yair Netanyahu is known for his active presence on social media, where he frequently comments on Israeli politics and criticizes government opponents and journalists.