Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he is prepared to eventually hand over leadership of the country to a successor but declined to identify who he believes should take his place or when such a transition might occur.
According to an interview with Israeli journalist Sharon Gal of i24news, Netanyahu indicated he has discussed the future with someone he considers capable of assuming the role but stopped short of providing further details.
“I think that there is someone to whom I am ready to give the keys to the country. I spoke to him about it, but I don’t want to designate a time,” Netanyahu said, according to the report.
While Netanyahu spoke about the possibility of eventually stepping aside, the Times of Israel noted that Israeli prime ministers do not appoint their successors.
Netanyahu, 76, first became Israel’s prime minister in 1996. He served from 1996 to 1999 before returning to office in 2009, remaining in the position until 2021. His current term as prime minister began in 2022.
His comments regarding Israel’s political future come as questions have emerged within his own Likud party about the party’s internal leadership process.
Earlier this week, a report cited by the Times of Israel said critics within Likud have expressed concern that Netanyahu may seek to cancel the party’s scheduled August primaries. According to that report, critics fear the prime minister could instead establish a committee to select the party’s candidates.
Netanyahu’s remarks also came as the conflict involving Iran continued to intensify this week, with the United States resuming strikes against Iran.
According to the article, Operation Epic Fury began on Feb. 28 with joint airstrikes carried out by Israel and the United States. The operation resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Earlier in the week, Netanyahu also discussed the conflict during an appearance on CNN with anchor Dana Bash, where the conversation turned to Iran’s nuclear program and President Donald Trump’s efforts to prevent the country from developing nuclear weapons.
During the interview, Netanyahu said it remained too early to determine how events would ultimately unfold.
“I think it’s too early to say what will happen,” Netanyahu told Bash.
He said Trump believes Iran’s nuclear program, which Netanyahu described as a program to develop atomic bombs, can be halted through negotiations and other forms of pressure.
“The president believes that he can stop Iran’s nuclear program, which is a nuclear program to create atomic bombs,” Netanyahu said. “He believes that he can do this through negotiations and various pressures.”
Bash then asked Netanyahu whether he shared that confidence.
“Do you?” she asked.
Netanyahu responded that while he has reservations, he believes Trump should have the opportunity to pursue that approach.
“Look, I have my doubts, but I think he should be given the chance,” Netanyahu replied. “And he’s trying to do—to achieve that. And we—it remains to be seen.”
The prime minister did not provide a timeline for any future leadership transition, nor did he reveal the identity of the individual he referenced as someone he would be prepared to entrust with leading the country.
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