Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he is exploring the use of cryptocurrency to circumvent potential financial sanctions on Israel, drawing criticism from opposition figures who said it would turn the Jewish state into an economic pariah like Iran.

“We need to prepare ways to evade banking sanctions through an alternative economic system,” Netanyahu said in an interview with Israel’s Channel 10. “You know what that means – the currencies that can bypass them. I’m working on that too.” Asked whether he meant crypto, the Prime Minister said: “Very correct.”

Netanyahu was speaking ahead of the Oct 27 election, where he faces a strong challenge from former general Gadi Eisenkot. 

Opposition leader Yair Lapid said…