Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu gave a speech today (Monday) at the opening meeting of the Knesset’s winter session, addressing the war in the south and Hamas’ lethal surprise attack.
“Even with the passing of 75 years since the establishment of Israel, the War of Independence has not yet ended. The establishment of the state was a one-time event, but the struggle for the state’s existence goes on,” he said. “This is a time of standing firm against wild and barbaric forces of destruction and ruin. This is a moment of determined struggle against those who have arisen to eliminate us.”
According to him, “Our goal is a crushing victory over Hamas, the collapse of its rule, and the removal of its threat to Israel once and for all. The conditions for victory are unity and determination. The nation is united and the country’s leadership united in the national emergency government we have formed. I want to thanks the Knesset Members in the opposition and the coalition who contributed to the war effort. I congratulate the wonderful citizens of Israel, Jewish and non-Jewish, who are uniting with diligence and heroism. In this national struggle we are all together, in this campaign all Israel is responsible for one another.”
He also addressed criticism of the circumstances which led to the surprise attack on Simchat Torah. “There are many questions on the disaster that befell us. We will investigate everything to the end. We’ve begun to implement immediate lessons,” he clarified. “Now we are focused on one goal – uniting forces and striving forward to victory. Victory will take time, there will be difficult moments, and sacrifice is required. We will win because this is about our very existence in this region.”
“Hamas is part of the Axis of Evil of Iran and Hezbollah. Their desire is to destroy Israel and murder us all,” he added. “This is a struggle between the children of light and the children of darkness. Between humanity and animal behavior. We saw this in the terrifying horrors committed in the Perimeter settlements, in the valley of death of young men and women at the party at Re’im. Many in the world now understand who Israel faces – they understand Hamas is ISIS and a new version of Nazism. I tell my friends in the enlightened world – our war is also your war. If we do not stand together as one front – this will reach you, too.”
Netanyahu then turned to Hezbollah: “Do not test us in the north, you’ve already done this once. The price you pay today will be much heavier. Watch it. The State of Israel appreciates the support of President Biden and the American People and the support of additional states like Britain and France. We are preparing for war in the south and are prepared in the north. Everyone is united behind the IDF. This needs to be marked by words and also actions. We are united behind the soldiers, the male and female fighters. In the hearts of our fierce warriors beats the fighting spirit of the heroes of Israel throughout the generations. Our fighters are ready for the continuation and there will be a continuation – until the complete defeat of our enemies.”
“The greatness of the horror shows the greatness of the heroism. Throughout our history, there were innumerable efforts to destroy us. When we were defenseless, we paid prices which no other nation in the world paid,” Netanyahu summarized. “Even after the establishment of the state, new enemies emerged. The difference is that today, we have a strong state, a strong nation, and a strong army which can fight back. We have gone to war and we will win the war, and we will not stop until victory.”