Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu pushed back Sunday against reports suggesting Israel is retreating on multiple fronts, insisting the country remains firmly committed to defending its security interests. He also reaffirmed that, under his leadership, Israel will not permit the creation of a Palestinian state in either Gaza or Judea and Samaria and vowed that Iran will never be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons.

Opening the weekly Cabinet meeting, Netanyahu argued that Tehran has deliberately avoided launching direct attacks against Israel because it understands the severe consequences it would face.

“You have surely noticed an interesting point: Iran attacks all the countries in the region, and even outside the region, but there is one country it does not attack – the State of Israel,” Netanyahu said.

“It has not attacked thus far; it might attack, but why have long weeks passed and it has not attacked us? Because it knows the massive blow we will inflict upon it if it does so.”

The prime minister said his remarks were intended to counter what he described as “a wave of rumors about Israeli weakness and Israeli withdrawals on all fronts.”

Addressing the Iranian threat, Netanyahu expressed gratitude to President Donald Trump and highlighted the close strategic cooperation between Washington and Israel in confronting Iran’s nuclear program.

“I greatly appreciate President Trump. He is the greatest of our friends in the White House,” Netanyahu said.

“I greatly appreciate the historical partnership with the US against Iran’s attempts to acquire nuclear weapons.”

“With or without an agreement, as long as I am Prime Minister, Iran will not have a nuclear weapon,” he added. “Because the existence of our precious country, the country of all of us, the existence of Israel, is not up for negotiation.”

Turning to the northern front, Netanyahu said Israel has continued carrying out military operations in Lebanon against terrorist targets, including recent activity along the Ali Taher Ridge.

“In recent days, Israel has acted with force in Lebanon, eliminating terrorists, including on the Ali Taher ridge,” he said. “We are in the midst of a very important operation.”

He added that Israel is proceeding “prudently and wisely-with both determination and wisdom,” while working in coordination with the IDF to eliminate threats before they can endanger Israeli citizens.

Netanyahu also reiterated his longstanding opposition to Palestinian statehood, making clear that such an outcome will not occur while he remains in office.

“As long as I am Prime Minister, a Palestinian state will not be established, neither in Gaza nor in Judea and Samaria,” he said. “Neither ‘Fatahstan’ nor ‘Hamastan’.”

The prime minister also addressed the recently released 15-point framework proposed by President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace for Gaza, emphasizing that Israel has not accepted the plan.

“Israel does not accept the 15-point document,” he stated.

“I have heard people saying: ‘You didn’t say it.’ So here I am saying it again: Israel does not accept the 15-point document.”

He stressed that Israel will not agree to any military withdrawal from Gaza before Hamas has been completely stripped of its weapons.

“The IDF will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is disarmed,” Netanyahu said. “And when I say the disarming of Hamas, it means heavy weaponry, lighter weaponry, all weaponry.”

“We are talking about genuine disarmament, not fictitious disarmament,” he added.

Netanyahu said discussions with the United States on the matter are continuing, noting that while Israel agrees with some American proposals, it firmly rejects others.

“They have ideas, some of which are acceptable to us and some of which are unacceptable, and we know how to stand firm against these things,” he said.

“The IDF will continue to thwart threats against our forces and our citizens,” Netanyahu added.

Concluding his remarks, Netanyahu underscored that Israel will not compromise on issues affecting its national security or survival.

“The existence of Israel and the security of all Israeli citizens are not up for negotiation,” he said. “We stand firm on these interests.”

“We do not do this in advertising agencies; we actually do it on the ground,” Netanyahu continued, citing Israel’s operations in Rafah and the Philadelphi Corridor, Lebanon, and Iran.

“Unlike all those who lecture us, we do what needs to be done for Israel’s security, and we can and know how to stand our ground, even against our best friends when necessary.”

{Matzav.com}