Gadi Eisenkot warned Benjamin Netanyahu in a letter that deploying security forces in the absence of an immediate threat could undermine Israeli democracy and public trust. (EPA Images pic)JERUSALEM: Israeli prime ministerial hopeful Gadi Eisenkot called on Wednesday for caretaker premier Benjamin Netanyahu to "show restraint and prudence" regarding security decisions, in an apparent reference to potential renewed attacks on Iran.

On the campaign trail during the country's recent elections, Netanyahu had stoked fears of a nuclear-armed Iran and called for toppling its government, with Eisenkot warning his rival against using military action as a means to ensure his political survival.

Without mentioning Iran by name, Eisenkot said in a letter to Netanyahu, which he shared on X, that "the use of security forces in the absence of a direct and immediate threat... could have disastrous consequences for Israeli democracy and for citizens' trust".