Netanyahu: ‘We’re only two seats away from a strong right-wing government’

February 27, 2020 by  
Read on for article

Jut days away from Israel’s third general election in under 12 months, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was optimistic on Wednesday as he addressed a conference of regional council leaders.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at a Conference of Heads of Local Authorities, in Kiryat Anavim, near Jerusalem, on Feb. 26, 2020. Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90.

“We are only two seats away from establishing a strong right-wing government and preventing a fourth election,” he said.

“Otherwise, we’ll get a government under [Blue and White leader Benny] Gantz that is dependent on Ahmad Tibi and the Joint Arab List. A government like that would endanger Israel’s security,” he added.

Netanyahu also addressed the recent two-day spike in violence between Israel and the terrorist factions in the Gaza Strip.

“The last decade has seen the fewest military [personnel] and civilians wounded. That’s not a coincidence. It stems from an aggressive policy. A wise policy of using force responsibly,” said Netanyahu.

However, he added, there may now be no choice but to launch a military operation in Gaza.

“It might be that there is no alternative to a wide-scale military operation. We are preparing it differently from what we have done thus far. I am not in a hurry to launch an operation that will lead to a war,” he said.

While there were no Israeli casualties in the latest round of hostilities, “there are psychological scars,” said Netanyahu. “This is not something that can be allowed to continue for long.”

What was necessary, he said, was to deal the terrorist organizations in Gaza a heavier blow than they can imagine.

“We need to deal Hamas and the other terrorist organizations a terrible blow, more than what they imagine, more than targeting their leaders in their beds. That is our last resort, and we hope we won’t have to use it, but if we do, we’ll win,” he said.

Ariel Kahana/JNS/Hayom

Speak Your Mind

Comments received without a full name will not be considered
Email addresses are NEVER published! All comments are moderated. J-Wire will publish considered comments by people who provide a real name and email address. Comments that are abusive, rude, defamatory or which contain offensive language will not be published

Got something to say about this?

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.