Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu assessed developments in Gaza, Lebanon, Iran, Syria and the occupied West Bank in an interview with Channel 14 television, which is close to his government.
Netanyahu argued that Israel’s work in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria was not yet complete. Claiming that Israel faced new threats, Netanyahu also targeted Iran.
Claim about Iran’s nuclear program
Claiming that Iran had not abandoned its nuclear program, Netanyahu argued that the authorities in Tehran were determined to restart it with the aim of producing an atomic bomb.
Netanyahu said that although Iran’s nuclear program had previously been set back, the threat had not been eliminated. He claimed that he would not allow Iran to restart its program as long as he remained prime minister.
Responding to a question about whether the authorities in Tehran would be overthrown, Netanyahu claimed that Iran was weaker and more unstable than before.
Statements on Gaza and a Palestinian state
Netanyahu said Israel would occupy all of Gaza if necessary if Hamas did not disarm.
Claiming that he had not allowed and would not allow the establishment of a Palestinian state in the future, Netanyahu also commented on attacks by Israelis who have seized Palestinian land in the occupied West Bank.
Netanyahu described the Israelis carrying out the attacks as “a small number of young people,” downplaying the scale of the incidents. “Do you want to enter a village? You cannot enter. This is not your job. There is an army there, there is police, there is a government,” Netanyahu said, pointing to the presence of the army, police and government in the area.
Netanyahu claimed that the seizure of Palestinian land and illegal settlement activities had been harmed by the attacks, and argued that the incidents had also damaged Israel’s reputation worldwide. He claimed that the international media and Israeli media had exaggerated the increase in attacks in the West Bank.
Britain and the election process
Netanyahu also targeted the authorities in London, claiming that people in Britain were being summoned for questioning because of their social media posts.
Netanyahu’s Likud Party is trailing the Yashar Party of former Chief of the General Staff Gadi Eisenkot, according to opinion polls ahead of the elections scheduled for October 27.
Public discussion holds that Netanyahu is conducting election propaganda through fear-based rhetoric and has hardened his statements in an effort to win votes.
