A serious threat emerged to the life of Yair Netanyahu, prompting his urgent evacuation along with his bodyguards back to Israel, Israel's domestic security agency Shin Bet announced on 29/8. The decision followed a situation assessment.

Shin Bet's statement followed earlier Israeli media reports this week, indicating Yair was the target of an Iranian assassination plot in December 2025 while residing in Florida, United States. Interest in the matter intensified after Prime Minister Netanyahu told Channel 14 on 24/8 that Iran "attempted to assassinate my son".

Yair Netanyahu, son of the Israeli Prime Minister. *Photo: Flash90*

To execute the urgent evacuation, Shin Bet reportedly diverted agents from New York to Miami. These agents were initially assigned to protect President Isaac Herzog during his visit to the United States in December 2025, according to Channel 12. Yair reportedly left the United States without his belongings and returned directly to Israel, where he has since spent most of his time.

According to a US legislative source familiar with the situation, Israeli intelligence agencies believed Iranian operatives had a "presence" in the Miami area, monitoring Yair's activities.

Prime Minister Netanyahu has two sons, Yair and Avner. Avner resides in Israel, while Yair had been living primarily in Miami, United States, for the past several years. Yair's extended stay in the United States has been a source of controversy due to the significant security costs. In 2024, media reports indicated Yair resided in a luxury apartment complex in Miami, complete with a private driver and two bodyguards from Shin Bet's elite Unit 730. This arrangement reportedly cost the state budget approximately 200,000 NIS (around 55,000 USD) monthly.

Prime Minister Netanyahu with his wife Sara and two sons Avner (left) and Yair (right) in the Golan Heights on 23/4/2019. *Photo: Times of Israel*

During the Channel 14 interview on 24/8, Prime Minister Netanyahu defended the security measures for his sons, asserting that without such protection, the plotters "would have achieved their objective".

Yair Netanyahu has long been a prominent and controversial figure on social media. He frequently comments on Israeli politics, criticizing his father's political rivals, government critics, and the media. Yair also maintains connections with numerous far-right politicians and influencers in Europe and the United States.

Thanh Tam (According to Times of Israel, JPost, AFP)