New York: Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s son Yair, who lives in Miami in the US may be in danger of being abducted, a former White House insider has said, even as international tensions continue to rise.
Questions have also been raised on why Yair hasn’t enrolled in the IDF like his fellow citizens.
International affairs specialist Howard Stoffer, with 25 years of experience in the US government, has warned that Yair must take security measures seriously, as reported by Hindustan Times.
Yair (34) has been doing “non-profit charity work” in Florida, it has been reported. There has been some anger back in his country as he was excused from military service, even as 360,000 reservists have been called up to join the Israeli army in the fight against Iran.
Yair would be a “vulnerable target” if he continues staying in America, Professor Stoffer said.
“I don’t see how it would be possible for him to be in the US and not be a highly vulnerable target for an attack or kidnapping,” he said, adding, “If he were coming to New York or to speak at some public forum, I would not go because I would consider that a potential target for some of the angered people that are out there.”
He believes that “it’s a huge mistake” that Yair continues to stay in the US from Israel’s point of view, due to his failure to serve and fulfil his military obligations.
“I think it’s a huge mistake from the perspective of Israel and from the perspective of the symbolism that he is not serving and doing his duty in the military,” Stoffer said.
“It would be quite dramatic if the son of the prime minister of Israel were to be taken,” he added.
Yair’s stay in America is “foolish” unless he is being protected by Israeli intelligence agencies like Shin Bet or Mossad, the professor believes.
“I think it’s foolish for him to be here. He should be doing his duty in Israel and that the prime minister’s family is as much a part of what is required to defend their country than anybody else is,” he said.
Israeli soldiers are furious over the situation because they believe Yair ought to be helping with the war effort, Daily Express US reported.
“Yair is enjoying his life at Miami Beach while I’m on the front lines,” a soldier stationed on Israel’s northern border told The Times in London.
While Shin Bet acknowledged that it is in charge of Netanyahu’s wife and sons’ security, it is still unclear if protection would last while Yair is in the US.
