Meet Cpl. Noy, a combat soldier in the Caracal Battalion

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."

Respect

Source: Israel Defense Forces

PM - Netanyahu, addressed an event marking 25 years of Aliyah from Russia

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."

Source: The prime minister of Israel

Prime Minister Netanyahu: "I'm delighted to see you again in Jerusalem, Nikola.

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.

Source: The Prime Minister of Israel

PM Netanyahu told the Duvdevan soldiers: "Happy Hanukkah to you all

Photos: Amos Ben Gershom, GPO

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.

Source: The Prime Minister of Israel