AJ
Earlier tonight, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stood first in front of the State of Israel Presidential Minister’s Office board using a lectern, before finishing comments from the Prime Minister’s Office.
First, Netanyahu addressed how Israel has been growing: “Israel is now, today, a very small country, but it’s a very powerful country – it’s not only powerful for technology, that too, not only because of science, that too – it’s powerful because of the spirit of the people, it’s powerful because we know that history is not going to give us another chance.
“There are only so many miracles that a person can perform – coming back from the dead, breaking all the rules of history – because you can’t come back from the dead, but we did.”
Bibi added: “We are completely committed to protecting our future, ensuring a region of prosperity and security and peace, not only for us, but for all those who join us.”
Prime Minister Netanyahu next spoke about Gaza: “We have to make sure that Gaza never poses a threat to Israel again – that requires de-radicalisation – that’s a difficult word, but it means re-education, it means a change.
“It’s been done in other parts of the world, it’s been done in some Gulf states, it’s been done in Japan and Germany.
Netanyahu addressed those speaking out against Israel next, saying: “Radical voices on the left spread lies about genocide, radical voices on the right demansd that Jews take DNA tests – both are wrong, both are dangerous, and both most be confronted.”
However, Netanyahu insisted the truth was that Israel wasn’t a burden to America: “Israel is a strategic asset to America,” the Prime Minister said, adding: “We are partners and no one can appreciate America more than Israel, and I believe that many, many Americans understand that America has no better ally than Israel.”
In terms of Iran, Netanyahu commented: “I’ve told Iran that if it attacks us, we will respond with unimaginable force.”
Netanyahu said that antisemitism has been part of “our history for over two millenia,” adding that: “500 years before the birth of Christ, we’ve had antisemitism, and ever since, it’s been there – the vilifications through the Middle Ages and through modern times, including right up to the Holocaust, continue.
“Now some believe that after the Holocaust, there would be an end to this horrible curse – well, it turns out, it was only a brief interlude – as antisemitism rears its ugly head again, there’s only one thing to do in order to fight it, and that’s to fight it.
“Whether it’s in the military battlefield or the political battlefield of public opinion in America or Europe or elsewhere, we have to fight it – so I have only one message for you – don’t bow your heads, don’t cower before it, people respect those who respect themselves and who are willing to fight for the truth and for their rights – that’s what every jew should do.”
Netanyahu continued: “All Jews who pride themselves in being part of the great Jewish nation should actively fight antisemitism – it is the battle for Israel, it’s the battle for Jewish people, it’s the battle for the great alliance with the United States of America, it’s the battle for truth – We shall fight on all these fronts and we shall win.”
Concluding, Netanyahu noted that: “Although we represent only 0.2% of the world’s population, the Jewish contribution to humanity in every field – in medicine, in science, in physics, in so many areas – has been unmatched.”
