Prime Minister Netanyahu:'We will take all measures to support all those who fight against Israel.'

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

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 with the Israeli Special Olympics team

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."

in an address to the Jewish Federations of North America by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

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."

Source: The Prime Minister of Israel

Benjamin Netanyahu, in an address to the Jewish federations of North America

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."

Source: The Prime Minister of Israel

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in an address to the Jewish federations of North America

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."

Source: The Prime Minister of Israel

Benjamin Netanyahu's remarks: "We recently witnessed two abhorrent crimes"

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." 

Watch: Video: GPO

 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's remarks at the start of the weekly Cabinet meeting

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."

Source:The Prime Minister of Israel

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's remarks

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's remarks following his visit of the family of Ali Dawabsha at the Chaim Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer.

Video: GPO