In a Fox News interview that aired Saturday, Prime Minister Netanyahu said that the only way to end the Iranian threat was to topple the regime.

“Let’s complete the job and have the people of Iran seize their own future,” he said. “The only way you can deal with it is to basically get rid of this regime.”

He also praised President Donald Trump for applying both military and economic pressure on Iran but added that success requires a lengthy campaign of economic and military pressure.

The Israeli premier expressed optimism that the Arab Gulf states were moving closer toward normalization with Israel and to joining the Abraham Accords.

“Many more are waiting in the wings precisely because they saw our strength and power and fortitude,” he said.

More interview highlights include Netanyahu’s relationship with Donald Trump, his affirmation of the Jewish people’s ancient connection to the land, and his searing denunciation of European leaders who kowtow to the Islamists despite knowing better.

On his relationship with Trump: “Our rapport not only comes from knowing each other for so many years; it’s also from understanding that we face a common danger and that we have to protect our common future. And that’s really it. Aside from the fact [that] it’s fun being with him, I mean, I don’t know. Most people don’t know that he has a wicked sense of humor. I mean, he can be very funny and very warm, and so I, you know, I treasure this relationship, and I always recognize he’s the president of the United States. He does what he thinks is good for the United States, and that’s exactly what he does. I do the same for Israel.”

On his defense of the Jewish connection to the land: “We’re not on stolen land. This is our historical homeland. We’re the indigenous people here. We’re not the Dutch in Indonesia. We’re not the Belgians in the Congo. We’re Jews from Judea. That’s where we come from. Judea. We’re sitting right now in Judea, Jerusalem, the capital of Judea and Samaria. Well, they split into two kingdoms after a while, but the people of Israel, the Jews, came from Judea. So this is our homeland. We’ve been attached to it for thousands of years. We’re not a colonialist enterprise; we’re the original owners of our land. This is our land. We’re not trying to drive anyone out … The Arab residents are perfectly free to stay here.”

On his criticism of European states: “We’re now forging relations. I mean, I’m not going to name names, but Mark, you wouldn’t believe the number of Arab states that are coming to us now, the number of Muslim states that are coming to us now, the number of European states. I say Europe, you know, because Europe, these are the same countries, you know, who are smashing us at the UN, vilifying us. You lost the moral high ground. You stole the land, and then they come to me. Hey, listen, can we do something about this? You know, can you help us with this anti-terrorist effort? And can you help us with this or help us with that? So, and by the way, I really get, I can say, I really get pissed off with them. You know, you don’t have to bend to the, you know, to the winds of fashion of Islamist constituencies and and the lunatic left in your body. Stand up, be a leader. Be a leader. President Trump is a leader. Be a leader. They’re not leaders. They’re so weak and passive, and they’re basically try to appease the worst, the worst fanatics in their realm. That’s not leadership.”