Meet Cpl. Noy, a combat soldier in the Caracal Battalion on the Israel-Sinai border.
"When we go out to patrol the border I look back at the Israeli communities nearby; I see the lights in the homes, the families having dinner. These are the moments when I fully understand why I’m doing what I’m doing. I’m here to protect those families."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, addressed an event marking 25 years of Aliyah from Russia this evening:
"For 100 years we have been dealing with recurrent waves of terrorism and we have fought against, and repelled, the waves time and again.
I would like to commend the security forces that prevented, thwarted and responded to the terrorist incidents this morning.
I wish a quick recovery to the wounded.
Photos: Amos Ben Gershom, GPO
The Israel Police, Border Police, IDF and ISA fighters are operating with determination and courage against the terrorists. At the same time, the Palestinian Authority is continuing its mendacious anti-Israel incitement and is certainly not taking any action against it. Our security forces, which include many young people whose parents came from the countries of the former Soviet Union, have full freedom of action in the field.
They go wherever they need, demolish terrorists' homes and carry out arrests.
Photos: Amos Ben Gershom, GPO
We are also acting against the families that cooperate with the terrorists. We are denying freedom of movement, imposing closures on villages and closing roads. We are also taking action against online incitement.
Yesterday, it was published that the ISA had uncovered a very dangerous Hamas terrorist infrastructure that wanted to commit attacks. The ISA operates according to the law and protects the State of Israel and the citizens of Israel.
The people in question are a fringe group of extremists. This is not the exemplary religious Zionism that has contributed to Israel and whose sons serve in the elite units of the IDF.
Neither can one compare the magnitude of the terrorism with Arab terrorism. In the past month alone they have carried out hundreds of attacks against us and we have seen only a few Jewish terrorist attacks.
For our part, we are not prepared to accept terrorism from any quarter. This fringe group does not represent the Right. This is not the Right that I know. Israel is a nation of law. We will not countenance a situation in which a certain group refuses to accept the laws of the state and commits acts of murder. Without the security services, including the ISA, where would we be?
Whoever is concerned about the security of the State of Israel must act against terrorism. This is what we have done and this is what we will continue to do."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hosted Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski this afternoon in his Jerusalem office. The two leaders signed a treaty to prevent double-taxation and a joint statement marking the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Photo: Haim Zach, GPO
Prime Minister Netanyahu: "I'm delighted to see you again in Jerusalem, Nikola. It's a pleasure to see you. Your visit marks twenty years of our establishing diplomatic relations. It's a sign of our growing friendship, and today we're going to sign a declaration of friendship between our two countries.
We have a lot of things that we're working on – energy, water, agriculture, science, education, technology. I think also the area of defense and our common battle against terror is something that is highly important. And we value this friendship, we value this partnership. And I welcome you and your delegation here to Jerusalem. Welcome."
Macedonian Prime Minister Gruevski invited Prime Minister Netanyahu to visit his country.
Relations between Israel and Macedonia are very good; cooperation has grown in recent years. Macedonia has been taking positive action regarding historical issues as well; a Holocaust museum has recently been established in Skopje. Macedonia has also been making a special effort to rehabilitate the Jewish cemetery in Bitola (the second largest city in Macedonia), the oldest in the area; this has been greatly appreciated in Israel.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lit the second Hanukkah candle this evening with soldiers of the IDF Duvdevan unit. Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon, IDF Deputy Chief-of-Staff Maj.-Gen. Yair Golan, Division Commander Brig.-Gen. Lior Carmeli and Duvdevan Commander Col. K also attended the ceremony.
Prime Minister Netanyahu told the Duvdevan soldiers:
"Happy Hanukkah to you all.
My grandfather came to Jaffa in 1920. Several months later [in May 1921], Arab rioters burned the Jewish immigration office where he had gone. They murdered several Jews there including famed author Yosef Chaim Brenner. I note that year as the start of the armed struggle against Zionism; we are approaching 100 years.
There has always been terrorism. There were also direct military attacks against us and there are also considerable military threats against us, less by regular armies and more by missiles, but the terrorist threat is constant. The threat of terrorism comes in waves and we have repelled those waves, and we are still in the midst of this wave.
You are at the forefront of the war against the current wave. Your ability to go into the villages, communities and homes is a most important capability for the security of Israel. The vast majority is not a suicidal majority. The circle of those willing to commit suicide is limited.
The circle of attackers is considerably larger and the ability to reach, apprehend, exact a price, take and if need be to foil or kill – this capability is cardinal for our defense. We cannot defend ourselves against the evil if we cannot fight it. You are a central component of the ability of the State of Israel and of the people of Israel to defend against the enemy.
This is an ancient heritage and our people have proven its mighty abilities, even today it does so. Previously, I discussed this in the limited forum that I attended in Paris and the leaders of the nations of the world were interested in our abilities in the struggle against radical Islam and against the terrorism that it gives rise to. In effect, I would say the 'laboratory', if it is possible to say so, this is what is happening here with you, only we know that these are not laboratory conditions.
I think that the Defense Minister and I recognize very well the fact that in the field one needs a level head, daring and meticulous planning, and who but you know do not plan exactly the way you would like. Many times it does not go as planned and, therefore, one must become acclimatized into language and culture, in addition to all of the operational requirements. Therefore, as far as I am concerned, this unit is among the top elite units, not of the State of Israel but in the world.
I want you to know that the people of Israel are proud of you and we all owe you our gratitude.
Happy Hanukkah to you all."
Defense Minister Yaalon said:
"I am impressed with every visit here. The capabilities that we see here are very impressive and attest to the fact that the sky is the limit for you. We will also defeat this wave of terrorism, thanks greatly to you. The ability to reach into the darkness, into the heart of the neighborhoods, and stop the terrorists at their point of origin is what you do day and night. Each one of you is a small light and together as a unit, you are a great light."
Before the candle-lighting ceremony, Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yaalon were briefed on the unit's capabilities and recent actions in Judea and Samaria, as well it its anticipated future actions. They also observed the unit's unique equipment. They also spoke with unit commanders and soldiers about the challenges of undercover soldiers in the face of the wave of Palestinian terrorism.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's remarks at the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris:
"I take this opportunity to again express the solidarity of the people of Israel with the people of France.
Both our peoples have long and bitter experience confronting terrorism. This is not surprising, because Israel and France have in common precisely those qualities that the terrorists seek to destroy: freedom, equality, pluralism, tolerance – democracy.
But the terrorists who struck down innocent people in Paris, well, they make the same mistake as their counterparts who strike down innocent people in Israel.
Photo: Amos Ben Gershom, GPO
They fail to realize that those same shared values are the source of our strength – the strength we summon to overcome the pain of our losses, and the strength we summon to defeat the tyranny of the terrorists, the tyranny they seek to impose on our civilization, which always gets stronger, passing each test, overcoming each challenge.
We have to recognize that radical incitement and lies feed terrorism. Those who are committed to peace must fight incitement, must speak the truth.
If President Abbas is committed to peace, he must stop inciting his people against Israel, and start condemning the murder of innocents in Israel.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Today we must focus on the security, not just of the nations of the world, but of the world itself.
And even as Israel plays a leading role in the fight against terrorism, we are also playing a leading role in addressing climate change.
This is a pivotal issue of our time. It’s a pivotal issue for developed nations; it’s a pivotal issue for developing nations. We are one planet, and climate knows no bounds.
And I heard the statements made here by representatives of many countries, including from Africa. We understand the distress and the need to have a global solution. Many initiatives have been brought forward in this conference and elsewhere, and I want to say first that Israel is committed to those goals and will act accordingly, in deed and in word to fulfill them.
But of all the solutions that we are talking about, there will be one element that ultimately will decide, in addition to our cooperation, whether we can meet the challenge. And that one element is technology.
Technology gives us the ability to do the unimaginable.
Last year Israel was ranked number one in the Global Clean-Tech Innovation Index.
We are a world leader in making the use of water more efficient, therefore more energy efficient. Israel is the number one recycler of water in the world. It has the highest ratio of water efficiency in the world – 70-80%, this is thanks to innovative technologies like drip irrigation, which I know many of you are familiar with.
For decades, Israel has been a pioneer in solar energy.
We are also developing state-of-the-art techniques to increase crop yields and to make desert agriculture possible.
This all optimizes the use of water and the use of energy, and that’s important for our environment.
My office has launched an initiative to reduce global dependence on crude oil, especially in transportation, by establishing Israel as a global leader in the search for fuel alternatives.
Israel is developing what I can call a smart energy grid, and that includes using residential housing, not merely as a consumer of energy, but as individual plants producing energy.
This is truly the wave of the future.
Everything that I’m talking about here has one goal. It’s to optimize our resources; optimize the way we allocate our resources.
Israel has had to optimize all its life. We had no material resources. We had precious water, very little water, we had to do more with less. Since I mentioned water, understand that our rainfall in the 67 years of Israel’s independence has almost halved, our population has grown ten times, our GDP per capita has grown forty times. We have no water problem. We have learned to do more with less. This is what we as a planet must learn to do. We must learn to do more with less.
Israel is a small country with big ideas.
I believe that it’s not enough that we have those ideas, or that we apply those ideas in our own country.
We are eager to share them with you, both individually and as a collective body as well.
So I invite you to join us in working to address climate change and other environmental challenges, to make our world a safer, healthier and more peaceful place for our generation and for generations to come.
And since I spoke about efficiency, I think, I’m not sure, but I think I actually kept my time allotted, so I thank you very much for your attendance.
Thank you very much.
Thank you all."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued the following statement on the outlawing of the northern branch of the Islamic Movement in Israel:
"Democracy must defend itself. It must defend itself against those who strive to subvert it. The northern branch of the Islamic Movement in Israel is undermining the state. It incites violence against innocent people. It has close ties with the Hamas terrorist organization and it seeks to subvert the state in order to establish an Islamic caliphate in its place.
As the one who is responsible for the security of the state, I will not allow this. And therefore, the Security Cabinet, under my leadership, decided to outlaw the northern branch of the Islamic Movement.
We have nothing against Islam. We have nothing against the Muslim citizens of Israel, who enjoy full equal rights, and the great majority of whom are law-abiding. But we will continue to act against those who incite and who encourage terrorism, wherever they are. Our goal is to prevent incitement which contributes to terrorist attacks against innocent people; our goal is to defend the State of Israel. This is the obligation of any responsible leadership and it is my obligation."
If you think it is good we appreciate you for your share on facebook.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the IDF Gaza Division this afternoon, and was briefed on preparations and readiness of the IDF Southern Command forces by GOC Southern Command Maj. Gen. Eyal Zamir and sector brigade commanders.
Also attending were Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gadi Eizenkot, Prime Minister's Military Secretary, Brig.-Gen. Eliezer Toledano and IDF Gaza Division Commander Brig. Gen. Itai Virov.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited an observation point adjacent to the Gaza Strip where he made the following remarks:
"We are managing the struggle for Israel's security on several fronts. First of all, maintaining the calm on the Temple Mount, secondly, in Judea and Samaria, and third, in Gaza. Each of these fronts can catch fire and spread to the other.
Today I'm visiting here, with the Defense Minister, Chief of Staff, GOC Southern Command and field commanders, and I am impressed that the situation here is under control. In each of these sectors we are applying the policy of calming the situation by taking actions, against the instigators and against the forces of terrorism, in a responsible and measured manner, with power, and with very much power when needed. I think the language was made clear to Hamas that we consider it responsible for what happens in the Gaza Strip, and emanating from it, that we will not allow our borders to be infiltrated or attacks on our territory and our people. I am impressed that the message was well understood. "
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this afternoon (20 Oct 2015), visited the IDF Gaza Division, and was briefed on preparations and readiness of the IDF Southern Command forces by GOC Southern Command Maj. Gen. Eyal Zamir and sector brigade commanders. Also attending were Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gadi Eizenkot, Prime Minister's Military Secretary, Brig.-Gen. Eliezer Toledano and IDF Gaza Division Commander Brig. Gen. Itai Virov.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited an observation point adjacent to the Gaza Strip where he made the following remarks:
"We are managing the struggle for Israel's security on several fronts. First of all, maintaining the calm on the Temple Mount, secondly, in Judea and Samaria, and third, in Gaza. Each of these fronts can catch fire and spread to the other.
Today I'm visiting here, with the Defense Minister, Chief of Staff, GOC Southern Command and field commanders, and I am impressed that the situation here is under control. In each of these sectors we are applying the policy of calming the situation by taking actions, against the instigators and against the forces of terrorism, in a responsible and measured manner, with power, and with very much power when needed. I think the language was made clear to Hamas that we consider it responsible for what happens in the Gaza Strip, and emanating from it, that we will not allow our borders to be infiltrated or attacks on our territory and our people.
I am impressed that the message was well understood. "
Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon's remarks:
"We are still in the midst of a wave of terrorism which we did not instigate. It is the fruit of wild incitement and lies centered around stories of violation of the status quo on the Temple Mount, continued incitement which maintains that we perpetrate executions, stories that never happened. We are taking the necessary steps on all fronts, including in Judea and Samaria, in the Gaza Strip, and within the State of Israel of deployment and addressing the challenges ahead, particularly terrorism by individuals, certainly the result of incitement, a phenomenon we are already familiar with. We must all be alert; soldiers, policemen and citizens, and respond accordingly.
In the majority of incidents, including the one in Hebron this morning, a rapid reaction by forces the moment a fighter is threatened with a knife, then immediately the terrorist is hit to be neutralized. In this case, of course, the terrorist was killed. This is the correct way to deal with the wave of terrorism.
At the same time, there were attempts in the Gaza Strip to violate our sovereignty along the fence. In recent days, our troops have taken control of the matter. As we see, the sector is quiet. Communities are blooming and expanding. Definitely, this is our answer. We are a culture of life and prosperity, facing the culture of death and destruction, both here and over the fence, in the Golan Heights, and unfortunately, both in Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria.
I hope that we will continue in such a manner. And I wish to commend commanders, from the IDF and the Israel Police; soldiers, police, border police, members of the Israel Security Agency, who do an excellent job. "
Photo: Haim Zach, GPO
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Intelligence Affairs Minister Yisrael Katz and Mossad Director Tamir Pardo attended a festive holiday toast at the Mossad to mark 65 years since it was established.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said:
"We cannot solve the fundamental problems of the Middle East. They are revealed in all their power, and today our enemy is twofold: It is Shiite radical Islam led by Iran and its proxies and the Sunni [radical Islam], which for now is led by ISIS. They are fighting each other, but it is an accepted norm that we have no place in the Islamic world, as they see it.
Their alliances change, rise and fall and rise again and spread their tentacles in different directions - and we are on the inside.
There is one certain rule: No one makes a pact with the weak. The real defense of our country during its years of existence and the 65 years of the existence of the Mossad that we mark today, that is the power of the State of Israel. This is the power we cultivate.
Facing this changing world, Israel must be a major power, not just a regional power, but in certain areas a world power. This only deepens and enhances our ability to leverage our relations with elements in the region and elements outside the region. We are in completely new fields.
Photos: Amos Ben Gershom, GPO
Most important amongst them, but certainly not exclusively, is cyber, which is changing our world at great speed. And Israel is a cyber superpower, no less.
The Mossad has an irreplaceably vital, central role in our ability to build Israel's regional and global powers. Ultimately, this guarantees our existence.
I see very big opportunities for our continued development, to enhance our capabilities. I also see the actions of our adversaries and enemies. And our test is to preempt them. This we do, but it is a daily struggle, of which you play a most important role. I cannot list here all of the Mossad's achievements, all the bad things that we prevented, or the bad things that will be prevented, or all of the great victories that have been achieved and that will be achieved. I can only thank each and every one of you for the effort, for the willingness, for commitment to Israel's existence.
What we have achieved in the past 100 years is nothing short of a miracle. But we also know that miracles are finite. The Almighty and history do not give them freely. We must create them time and again. And I rely on you to continue this work. I ask you to also thank your families that are burdened with this weight and to tell them in the name of the people and State of Israel: Thank you very much and may you all be blessed with a good year."
Mossad Director Tamir Pardo said:
"In a world of rapid change, in a volatile world the likes of which we have never known, we have been able to adapt to the new threats in all areas of our organization's responsibility, for the security of the State of Israel. We have been able to duplicate many diverse capabilities in the Mossad, into one arrowhead that serves one measurable and qualitative purpose. All this does not come from nothing. Our ability has been built on a foundation of 65 years, capabilities built layer upon layer."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara left this morning on an official visit to London. Upon boarding the plane, the Prime Minister said:
"I am leaving now to meet British Prime Minister David Cameron. This is in continuation of the dozens of calls and meetings I have had since the elections with prime ministers, presidents and foreign ministers of dozens of countries, including meetings with the Italian Prime Minister, and with Lithuanian and European Union leaders just yesterday.
Photo: Avi Ohayon, GPO
In these talks I explain one thing: Europe needs to support Israel, not pressure Israel and not attack Israel, but support Israel, which is the only true protection Europe has in the Middle East against surging extremist Islam. We are prepared to act together with Europe in Africa and other places to fight extremist Islam but this requires a change of approach. This change will take time but we will implement it. This will be one focus of my talks with David Cameron. The second thing is that we need to fight extremist Islam not only at the borders, as we are doing, but also within our territory.
As soon as I return I will hold a meeting to summarize a meeting that I already had about boosting forces, stepping up enforcement, minimum sentences, blowing up suicide terrorists' houses and other steps that we are determined to carry out against all those who try to attack us here, within the country. My policy is zero tolerance for terrorism and this is what we will do."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made the following remarks at the induction ceremony for his new military secretary this afternoon, in his Jerusalem office.
"This position is very challenging because it is at the nerve center of the State of Israel and the State of Israel is closely involved in very many things that are happening in the world and which are constantly challenging us. There are still those who are threatening to destroy us but we have built defensive capabilities. This is the most significant thing that we have created here.
The state is an expression, first and foremost, of the sovereign ability to defend ourselves. This responsibility falls first on the government of the state, the military and the other security services.
Photos: Haim Zach, GPO
The Glory of Israel will not lie if the People of Israel are ready to fight; it will be stronger than our enemies. I think that you have understood this very well. You did this directly and with integrity and sensitivity. We need people who are committed to ensuring the security of Israel over any personal consideration. This is the test of a commander and of a leader. I think that you showed abilities as a commander and leader. I wish you a successful command at one of our two biggest fronts."
Outgoing Military Secretary Maj.-Gen. Eyal Zamir told the Prime Minister:
"You are at the top vis-Ã -vis overall responsibility for the security and lives of people in the most threatened country on earth, in a complex and changing regional and global security reality. I thank you for your confidence, backing and guidance.
I learned much from you and am convinced that I am taking with me much that will help me in the future."
Incoming Military Secretary Brig.-Gen. Eliezer Toledano said:
"This is a very significant day for me. Mr. Prime Minister, I thank you for the confidence. It is a great responsibility to serve the State of Israel from here in Jerusalem, close to the Prime Minister's desk. I am aware of the great responsibility and the commitment. I will do my utmost to be deserving every day."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara held the seventh meeting of the Tanakh Study Circle in memory of the Prime Minister's late father-in-law Shmuel Ben-Artzi, this evening at the Prime Minister's Residence in Jerusalem.
Prime Minister Netanyahu:
Photos: Amos Ben Gershom, GPO
"I am pleased to see you all here, including the President of the Supreme Court. Whoever participates, or has participated, in this Circle on a regular basis knows that I once said that the Tanakh is the rock of our existence. Simply put, there is no other significance to our being here without our link to our land and to his book. I read it every Shabbat, with my son if he is on vacation or without him if he is not. I draw great inspiration from it. We are presently finishing the Book of Deuteronomy. After it comes the Book of Joshua. The custom that I have with Avner is that after we finish the weekly Torah and Haftara readings, we simply read sections from the Tanakh.
It always reflects on contemporary events. It always touches on the present and on the eternal life of humanity in general and our people in particular.
It is important to me that Israeli children read the Tanakh and establish their knowledge of our culture and our heritage, which are the story of faith, history and morality between man and man and between man and G-d, morality for all humanity. This is first and foremost.
I say this at a time when there is a contrary trend among the nations of the world, a trend that would continue to deny our rights and our link to this land and indeed to life. The various boycott movements have struck at our people for thousands of years. We are boycotted and denigrated and turned into the focus of all evil.
Photos: Amos Ben Gershom, GPO
Of course, this is a little ridiculous when one looks at the flood of millions of human beings who are fleeing the ravages of extremist Islam in the Middle East and Africa. But of course there are others who recognize the genius within our people. We develop this genius into fantastic things. The people of the book are also the people of cyber, apparently world leaders. We are breaking through to new continents and new countries – China, India, Japan, Africa, Latin America and now Brazil. See what is happening there regarding the book of books; they have a model of the Temple, this is important.
There are two fundamentally opposing trends. One is the assault on our people as we have known it, to my regret, for thousands of years. On the other hand now the Jews have a state. Because we have a state we have the ability to become strong, gather our courage and take action in ways that we could not previously both to rebuff our enemies and to establish our policy. There is no doubt that this effort will continue. From Joshua we mainly draw the understanding that our enemies must be fought, if they want to destroy us. This is the first thing."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon, along with IDF Chief-of-Staff Lt.-Gen. Gadi Eisenkot, visited IDF Northern Command headquarters, where they were briefed by GOC Northern Command Maj.-Gen. Aviv Kochavi. Before arriving they toured in the area and viewed the Lebanese border.
Prime Minister Netanyahu:
"The ruler of Iran, Khamenei, said yesterday, and I quote, 'We will take all measures to support all those who fight against Israel.' Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif said in Beirut a few days ago, at a meeting with the head of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, and I quote, 'The nuclear agreement has created an historic opportunity to stand against the Zionist entity.' What we have said all along is being seen as correct and accurate.
Photo: Amos Ben Gershom, GPO
The money that will flow to Iran in the wake of the nuclear agreement will serve it to strengthen the terrorist organizations operating against us, in its name and under its auspices, in the avowed goal to destroy Israel.
I am here today at IDF Northern Command, along with the Defense Minister, Chief-of-Staff, GOC Northern Command and field commanders to closely observe the IDF's readiness against these threats. I was positively impressed both by the IDF's preparedness and by the determination of its commanders and soldiers. The IDF is strong. The State of Israel is strong. We are ready for any eventuality.
Those who try to attack us – we will strike at them."
Defense Minister Yaalon:
"I would like to commend IDF soldiers and commanders in general, and those of Northern Command in particular, for safeguarding our borders and maintaining quiet along them, despite what is happening on the other side, for their professionalism, which is allowing thousands of tourists to travel throughout the north.
On the Golan Heights it is not quiet and those who do not want quiet are the Iranians, who are trying to use proxies to carry out attacks against us. Representatives of the Revolutionary Guards are currently waiting for the implementation of the bad agreement that is being formulated with the major powers in order to send more money to Hezbollah and the other terrorist organizations, both on the Golan Heights and in the Palestinian arena. Of course, the IDF is prepared; it will continue to not allow violations of sovereignty on the Golan Heights.
In Judea and Samaria as well, as you have seen, it is not quiet.
There are attempted knife attacks on an almost daily basis. Again, I would like to commend IDF soldiers and Border Police personnel for responding quickly and professionally against all those who try to raise a hand or a knife against IDF soldiers or civilians. We will continue to not allow any terrorist element to attack our soldiers and civilians. Moreover, we will continue to take various steps against terrorism. This week I approved the demolition of more terrorists' homes, terrorists who already committed their crimes, as part of our deterrent moves to prevent terrorism."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met this evening with 15 Nobel sciences laureates, from various countries, who are in Israel for the WSCI conference, and said to them:
"I'm very glad to see you here and I think it's a unique privilege for me personally and I think also for the state, both the conference that you're coming in for – science – but also this time in history, in human history where knowledge and more importantly insight is developing at a rapid pace and we are at the point where we might partake of it.
There is still a great battle between modernity and medievalism, early medievalism, which is being waged around us. We're in the vortex of that battle, but I have no doubt that ultimately modernity wins. It always does, but sometimes at great cost.
No one makes peace with the weak. No one.
And so we have to be powerful for peace and for our future and for the prosperity of our people and for modernity to beat medievalism. I view the core of that power, the engine that is represented in this room right now, that's the core of our power: the power of the mind. That's what we need and that's what you represent and that's what we admire."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met today with the Israeli Special Olympics team, which returned last week from the 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Los Angeles. Also attending the meeting were Special Olympics Association President Daniel Benaim, other senior association officials, Social Affairs and Social Services Ministry Director General Eliezer Yavlon and Culture and Sports Ministry Sports Authority Director Dr. Ori Shefer.
Photo: Kobi Gideon, GPO.
Prime Minister Netanyahu said, "I want to congratulate you from the depths of my heart. We are proud of you; everyone in Israel is proud of you. Sixty-two medals is an amazing achievement. You are all deserving of great appreciation, first of all because you are champions. You competed and won. Even those who did not win, to reach the games and compete, this says that you have something special, something heartfelt that gives you strength, also with the help of your trainers and coaches whom I congratulate as well.
But we know that it starts with you and you drew strength from your very souls. I very much appreciate this and I would like to tell you that you have brought great pride and honor to the State of Israel and to yourselves. Secondly, you must know that there is also national pride because you represent something special. You represent the human spirit, which can overcome any obstacle if you want to; it starts with wanting to."
Prime Minister Netanyahu added, "I ask that you invite me to the opening of the Special Olympics here next year. It will give me a chance to see you again."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in an address to the Jewish Federations of North America:
"There’s one claim that is the most outrageous: that those who oppose this deal want war.
That’s utterly false. We in Israel don’t want war. We want peace. Because it’s we who are on the front lines.
We face Iran's terror on three borders.
We face tens of thousands of Iranian rockets aimed at all our cities. We face Iran, whose regime repeatedly calls for the destruction of the Jewish state.
We face Iran whose terrorist proxies try to kill Jews every day. We know that Iran is not only the leading state sponsor of terrorism, it's also the leading state sponsor of anti-Semitism.
Israelis are going to be the ones who pay the highest price if there’s war and if Iran gets the bomb.
The claim that we oppose this deal because we want war is not just false. It's outrageous. Israel wants to dismantle Iran’s nuclear program and Israel wants peace.
This deal will advance neither goal.
I don’t oppose this deal because I want war.
I oppose this deal because I want to prevent war, and this deal will bring war.
It will spark a nuclear arms race in the region and it would feed Iran’s terrorism and aggression. That would make war, perhaps the most horrific war of all, far more likely.
Don’t let the deal’s supporters quash a real debate. The issue here is too important.
Don’t let them take your voice away at this critical moment in history.
What we do now will affect our lives and the lives of our children and grandchildren – in Israel, in America, everywhere. This is a time to stand up and be counted.
Oppose this dangerous deal."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in an address to the Jewish federations of North America:
"My solemn responsibility as Prime Minister is to make sure that Israel’s concerns are heard. It wasn’t long ago, certainly not that long ago, that the Jewish people were either incapable or unwilling to speak out in the face of mortal threats, and this had devastating consequences.
I’ve been very clear – the days when the Jewish people could not or would not speak up for themselves, those days are over.
Today we can speak out. Today we must speak out. And we must do so together.
Here in Israel, Isaac Herzog, the Leader of the Labor Opposition, the man who ran against me in this year’s election and who works every day in the Knesset to bring down my government, Herzog has said that there is no daylight between us when it comes to the deal with Iran.
This is simply not a partisan issue in Israel. Sure, some people disagree, but overwhelmingly across the political spectrum, a
huge majority of Israelis oppose the deal. So this is not a partisan issue in Israel.
It shouldn’t be a partisan issue in the United States either.
Nor is it a personal issue. This isn’t about me. And it’s not about President Obama. It’s about the deal.
I’m asking you to rise above partisan politics as we in Israel have risen above it. Judge the deal on its substance and on its substance alone.
The more people know about the deal, the more they oppose it.
And the more people know about the deal, the more the deal’s supporters try to stifle serious debate. They do so with false claims and efforts to legitimatize criticism."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in an address to the Jewish federations of North America:
"The deal gives Iran also a massive infusion of cash, and Iran will use this cash to fund its aggression in the region and its terrorism around the world. As a result of this deal, there'll be more terrorism.
There will be more attacks. And more people will die.
It's been said that most of the money that Iran will get will not go to Iran’s terrorism and aggression.
Well, let's suppose that's true. Let’s suppose that Iran just takes 10% of the money for terrorism. That's 10% of nearly half a trillion dollars that Iran is expected to receive over the next 10 to 15 years. That’s a staggering amount of money.
And that would turn any terrorist group sponsored by Iran into a terrorist superpower.
So for all these reasons – Iran’s two paths to the bomb and the cash jackpot Iran stands to receive –
For all these reasons, this is a very dangerous deal, and it threatens all of us."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's remarks at the start of the weekly Cabinet meeting today (English captions available)
"We recently witnessed two abhorrent crimes. Our policy toward these crimes is zero tolerance. I have instructed security and law-enforcement officials to use all legal means at their disposal to apprehend the murderers and deal with the stabber and the arsonists to the fullest extent of the law.
We are determined to vigorously fight manifestations of hate, fanaticism and terrorism from whatever side. The fight against these phenomena unites us all. This is not a struggle by this or that faction. This is a matter of basic humanity and is at the foundation of our enlightened Jewish values.
I remember as a child, when I would visit on Shabbat the home of my father's great teacher, Professor Joseph Klausner, among the Jewish People's greatest historians in the modern era, over his door were etched two words: 'Judaism' and 'humanity'. They are combined and are mutually supportive. This is what distinguishes us from our neighbors. We deplore and condemn these murderers.
We will pursue them to the end. They name public squares after the murderers of children. This distinction cannot be blurred or covered up. It is important to say this even as we utter our condemnations and unite against the criminals among our people."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's remarks at the start of the weekly Cabinet meeting today:
"We recently witnessed two abhorrent crimes. Our policy toward these crimes is zero tolerance. I have instructed security and law-enforcement officials to use all legal means at their disposal to apprehend the murderers and deal with the stabber and the arsonists to the fullest extent of the law.
We are determined to vigorously fight manifestations of hate, fanaticism and terrorism from whatever side. The fight against these phenomena unites us all. This is not a struggle by this or that faction. This is a matter of basic humanity and is at the foundation of our enlightened Jewish values.
I remember as a child, when I would visit on Shabbat the home of my father's great teacher, Professor Joseph Klausner, among the Jewish People's greatest historians in the modern era, over his door were etched two words: 'Judaism' and 'humanity'. They are combined and are mutually supportive. This is what distinguishes us from our neighbors.
We deplore and condemn these murderers. We will pursue them to the end. They name public squares after the murderers of children. This distinction cannot be blurred or covered up. It is important to say this even as we utter our condemnations and unite against the criminals among our people."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a discussion this afternoon on advancing socio-economic development in Arab sector local councils, especially in employment, education, transportation and housing.
Prime Minister Netanyahu said, "The State of Israel has many economic achievements and all citizens need to be part of it. My governments have invested major sums in developing your communities. I am committed to equal opportunity for all."
Photo: Kobi Gideon, GPO
Statement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after his meeting today in Nicosia with Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades:
"Mr. President, thank you, my good friend, Nicos. It's a pleasure for me to reciprocate your visit to Israel with a visit by myself and our delegation to your beautiful island, your beautiful people and your very friendly government. We feel among friends, and there's a reason for that. I want you to know that the reasons that this is my first visit, having being re-elected, outside Israel and your first visit is not merely that we're saving airline fuel. It's because there is a real closeness which goes well beyond, as you said, geographic proximity.
These are two democracies, Israel and Cyprus, on the eastern edge of the Mediterranean. We're very proud of our heritage and of our history. Cyprus has a rich history. In the last visit I had the opportunity to visit your just magnificent treasures in your museum and I could see your past, the intertwining of the Jewish past in Cyprus, and of course Israel has an equally rich tradition that goes back to the days of the Bible, before the Bible and after the Bible. So we're very proud of our past and yet we are two modern countries that embrace the future with all its challenges but with all its exciting possibilities, and we believe that by cooperating we can actually make that future better for both our peoples and both our countries.
Photos: Kobi Gideon, GPO
There is palpably a renewed energy in our relationship and I mean that figuratively and literally. There is energy. We have been blessed, blessed by God that there is mana not in the heavens but under the water, and we want to take it out. We think that by cooperating with each other we can take it out more easily, we can market it better to the betterment of both our societies. This is something that we are discussing very intensively and there are many possibilities and we're going to explore each one of them and make a decision, but it's based on cooperation.
Energy is the first field. The second field I would say broadly is the economy, and let me say that the President and I are giving examples to Israeli tourists and to Cypriot tourists. We want to increase tourism and we want to increase investments and economic activities both ways.
I think that is again something that is beneficial to both our peoples.
The third area is security. We are faced with a very unstable world which while it forges new opportunities also presents new dangers. The dangers come primarily from militant Islam, either led by the radical Shiites headed by Iran or led by the radical Sunnis, at the moment headed by ISIS. These are two formidable dangers. They are expressed in many weapons and many attacks, but the most prevalent one that concerns Cyprus and Europe is of course the terrorism that emanates from these areas. Iran and Hezbollah organize a terrorist network that covers over thirty countries on five continents, including Europe, just about every country in Europe.
ISIS obviously endangers European societies, Western societies, African societies, the whole world, in its own way.
And we are committed to help our friends, the same embattled societies counter the threat of terrorism, but also bolster our defenses in other ways and we are constantly in touch on this and prepared to do more with each other. I welcome that.
We want to achieve peace. Peace is dependent on security, and ultimately if you don’t have a capacity to defend the peace, it collapses very rapidly in our area. But peace also depends on the willingness of parties to talk to one another and to try to put ancient issues behind them or at least resolve them in a way that they don’t prevent us from seizing the future.
I want to extend my best wishes to you on your efforts. You have a difficult problem, we have a difficult problem, and we both hope for the best and for the success of your efforts to achieve peace with your neighbors and our efforts of course to achieve peace with our Palestinian neighbors. I would welcome the opportunity to present Israel's position to the EU. I think this is a very worthwhile initiative that you, Nicos, have brought up.
And you've often said to me after our conversations: Why don’t you have the opportunity to present these simple facts and these simple arguments to Europe? And I said: That's not a bad idea. I thought it was actually a very good idea. So we're pursuing this as well, continue to discuss this with the visit of Mr. Tusk in Israel in a few weeks, and we seek also a world I would say that enables people to live, to live in dignity, to live first of all and not die, to live in dignity and peace and prosperity and in freedom. This is something that offers an easy familiarity and a genuine friendship. We are part of the same civilization and we will protect our civilization.
Thank you, thank you very much, Nicos."
Watch: Statement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after his meeting today in Nicosia with Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades.
Source: The Prime Minister of Israel
Video: GPO
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met this evening, in his Jerusalem office, with Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) personnel who showed him a 2,000-year-old Book of Lamentations scroll that was found in the Qumran caves, that was recently put on display for the first time at the Bible Lands museum in Jerusalem.
IAA Curator in Charge of the Dead Sea Scrolls Pnina Shor updated Prime Minister Netanyahu on the scroll, which has been dated to between 30 BCE and 70 CE. She said that the scroll is the earliest known example of the Book of Lamentations and added that due to its importance the scroll is stored at an IAA laboratory.
Prime Minister Netanyahu said, "This is an important and moving find. It is very significant that that this scroll has been brought to the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem, our united capital, on the Fast of the Ninth [of the Hebrew month] of Av."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met today with film producer Branko Lustig, a Holocaust survivor who produced – and won an Oscar for – "Schindler's List". He came to Israel to donate his Oscar to Yad Vashem.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met this evening with Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović.
Prime Minister Netanyahu:
Photo: Kobi Gideon, GPO
"We’re told that the only alternative to this bad deal is war. But the very opposite is true. By strengthening the terrorist state of Iran, this deal makes war not less likely, but more likely.
We are told that this agreement will prevent Iran from getting nuclear weapons. Well, that's exactly what was said about the deal with North Korea. And today, North Korea has about a dozen nuclear weapons and it’s on its way to get many, many more.
This deal paves Iran's path to an entire nuclear arsenal within a decade or so. Because at that point Iran will be free of any constraints of producing as many centrifuges as they want and they can enrich as much uranium as they want. And this will pose a formidable threat to the peace of the world.
I believe also that the expectation that Iran will become a military nuclear power will be enough in itself to spark a nuclear arms race in the Middle East, the most volatile region on earth.
And how will that end?
Second, with the almost immediate easing of sanctions, billions of dollars, 100-150 billion dollars right away in the first year, but then hundreds of billions of dollars will flow into Iran's coffers. And that will fund Iran’s terror machine and its war-making machine.
That's more Iranian aggression in Iraq, in Syria, in Lebanon, in Libya, in Yemen and elsewhere.
That's more Iranian ballistic missiles, that's more terrorism from the Revolutionary Guard, Hezbollah, Hamas and the Islamic Jihad.
I believe a better deal is still possible.
And in any case, no agreement is better than this bad agreement.
And I repeat: This agreement doesn't prevent war; it will make war – even nuclear war – more likely.
Iran's President called the Security Council's adoption of this deal an 'historic event.'
Well, he's right.
It’s a historic mistake.
A better deal that would tie the lifting of restrictions on Iran's nuclear program and would roll back Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, such a deal would be tied to ending Iran's aggression and terrorism. That’s the real alternative."
Statement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his Meeting with the Prime Minister of Italy, Matteo Renzi:
Photos: Amos Ben Gershom, GPO
"Prime Minister Renzi, buonasera my friend. It's a pleasure to welcome you to Jerusalem.
I am very glad to have the opportunity to reciprocate to you and your delegation the warm welcome that you showed me and my delegation in Rome last year. You come to Jerusalem. The connection between Rome and Jerusalem dates back over two thousand years. I believe that everybody recognizes that many of the foundations of Western civilization were laid in our two ancient capitals.
And in the modern period, the Italian national movement had a decisive influence and impact on the Jewish national movement. The founding fathers of Zionism, Hess, Herzl, Jabotinsky, Trumpledor, drew tremendous inspiration from the example of Italy of restoring modern independence in an ancient homeland.
Today our two countries, Italy and Israel, share a special relationship.
Though we have roots in antiquity, our two countries energetically embrace the future.
We're both vibrant democracies. I'm sure you can tell me about how vibrant Italian democracy I, and tomorrow in the Knesset, you may have a glimpse of how vital Israeli democracy is.
We both guarantee in our democracies equal rights to all our citizens.
We're both creative and dynamic societies.
We both have modern, hi-tech economies.
Our friendship is strong and I believe we can make it much stronger by cooperating among the things that we're going to talk about – in economy, in trade, in technology, in defense, in cyber security, in many, many other fields.
Our friendship is expressed in our regular Government to Government meetings.
It's reflected in Israel's successful cooperation with you in Expo 2015 in Milan, which I hope to visit.And it's demonstrated, Matteo, in your and Italy's unequivocal opposition to anti-Semitism and Italy's vocal support for Israel's right to live in peace and security in recognized boundaries.
I think that our relationship is one that I personally believe and you personally believe can go to much higher levels, even higher than today, and they're pretty high as it is.
Mr. Prime Minister,
Earlier today I met US Secretary of Defense, Ashton Carter.
I told him that the deal with Iran poses grave threats to Israel and the Middle East, to Europe and the world.
It will put Iran at the threshold of an entire nuclear arsenal within a decade, because at that time the deal permits Iran to build as many centrifuges as it wants and to enrich as much uranium as it wants, which means that Iran could break out in a decade or so to dozens of nuclear bombs in zero time.
And almost immediately, starting from this year, as the deal passes, the deal will give Iran hundreds of billions of dollars to bankroll its aggression in the region and its terrorism around the world.
That's more money for the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, more money for the Quds Force, for Hezbollah, for Hamas and Islamic Jihad, for the Libyan proxy terrorists of Iran, more money for the Shiite militias in Iraq, for the Houthis in Yemen.
This bad deal is a historic mistake.
Now, we're repeatedly told that no deal is better than a bad deal.
Well, this is a bad deal.
Watch This Video:
Yet today we are told that the whole world supports this bad deal.
Well, that's just not true.
Israel and many Arab states oppose this deal.
And in any case sometimes the entire world can be wrong.
It was dead wrong on another nuclear deal – the one with North Korea.
We were told then by the international community, the scientific community, the arms control community that that deal would prevent North Korea from getting nuclear weapons and it would make the world safer.
Well, we all know how that turned out.
Mr. Prime Minister,
Europe and Israel are threatened by the very same forces.
Italy and Israel cooperate in many ways to meet these challenges.
We both want to see security, prosperity and peace in the Mediterranean region and beyond.
We both want to see Israel achieve a genuine and secure peace with our Palestinian neighbors.
Let us work together to achieve these goals.
Italy is our ally.
Italy is our partner.
Italy is our friend.
Once again, my friend, it's a pleasure to welcome you here in Jerusalem".
