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At Knesset, Netanyahu urges dismantling of Iran’s ‘Evil Axis’

Addressing criticism over the limited scope of the Israeli strike, the prime minister outlines a firm long-term strategy

(Oct. 29, 2024 / JNS) Israel is pursuing a “long-term strategy” focused on neutralizing Iran’s nuclear program and proxies, despite claims to the contrary, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday.

Speaking at the opening of the Knesset’s winter session, Netanyahu pushed back against recent claims that Israel’s war effort lacked focus.

“After each of our achievements, I hear the former officials in the television studios say: ‘Well, we understand the immediate war goals, but what’s the strategy?’” he said. “So if it’s not clear by now, I will lay it out in simple terms: Our long-term strategy, which I hope will be achieved shortly, is to dismantle the Evil Axis, sever its tentacles in the north and south, exact a heavy toll from Iran and its proxies and prevent it from obtaining nuclear arms.”

While noting that “for obvious reasons” he could not share all the actions taken and plans in this regard, Netanyahu emphasized that, “I have not given up on this central objective. Preventing a nuclear Iran is our main concern.”

Netanyahu’s remarks follow criticism from both the right and the left in Israel following Israel’s Oct. 26 retaliatory strike on Iran. According to Jerusalem, the attack targeted key Iranian weapons factories and air defense systems, but avoided energy infrastructure and Iran’s nuclear program.

Prominent television commentator Shimon Riklin of the right-leaning Channel 14 on Oct. 26 tweeted that Netanyahu had missed “a historic opportunity” despite “explaining and persuading how crucial it was” to halt Iran’s nuclear weapons program.

Riklin went on to claim that Netanyahu had held off on striking Iran’s nuclear program due to U.S. pressure.

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid, head of the center-left Yesh Atid Party, also criticized the strike’s scope, tweeting that “Iran should have paid a much heavier price.”

Israel marks Oct. 7 massacre

Before addressing the Knesset on Monday, Netanyahu attended a ceremony at the Knesset plaza unveiling the cornerstone for a monument in memory of those killed during Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023 massacre and the resulting wars against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Acknowledging the sacrifices made, the fighting in Gaza and Lebanon will “reshape these arenas,” he said. Israel is “stronger than ever, and will be even stronger,” he added.

Israel has driven Hamas underground in Gaza, largely neutralizing its capabilities. It has also crippled Hezbollah severely in Lebanon, where IDF troops are clearing out the terrorist group’s forward posts near the border with Israel.

During his own speech at Monday’s opening Knesset session, opposition leader Lapid blamed the government for the Hamas massacre, in which terrorists murdered some 1,200 Israelis and abducted another 251.

“He who led us to the worst catastrophe in our history cannot claim he’s the right person to extract us from it. You are not,” said Lapid. “This is a prime minister who is concentrated only on himself, facing a wounded, bleeding nation, who incites and then whines about being incited against,” he added.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog in his address called on the government to do whatever was necessary to bring the hostages home from Gaza.

“We have created a rare window of opportunity and we must move forward in any way possible to bring back home everyone now,” he said.

Meanwhile on Monday, Israelis on both sides of the hostage debate held separate rallies outside the Knesset. One was organized by the Bravery Forum (Forum Hagvura), which supports freeing the hostages through military and other kinds of pressure on Hamas. A larger rally was organized by Brothers in Arms (Achim Laneshek), a left-leaning group that opposes Netanyahu and supports making concessions to Hamas to retrieve the hostages.

Netanyahu, too, addressed the hostages issue in his speech. “At these very moments, we are searching for ways to implement measures. We will bring everyone back home without exception,” he said.

Mossad intelligence agency chief David Barnea on Monday returned from 24-hour trip to Qatar, where he had discussed the most recent proposals for a hostage deal.

Photos: Chaim Goldberg/Flash90

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Comments
Ed Wilson 20:18 29.10.2024
Don't assume the the U.S. government speaks for the average U.S. citizen. The vast majority of us love and support Israel and it's war against it's evil foe.
Mike Galarneau 17:47 29.10.2024
Do whatever you gotta do Bibi. God bless Israel and the IDF 🇮🇱
Didi Gift 16:17 29.10.2024
Netanyahu is correct!
[Anonymous] 12:52 29.10.2024
The Lapid party is never satisfied. Those weak men would be dead by now if they gave in to the Biden administration. Wake up you were going to be dead
Joe Cross 12:48 29.10.2024
at the same time. God is preparing Israel and testing it’s people. Trust in Him and His chosen leader. Those who rise in opposition will be exposed. Giving bad counsel for selfish reasons is not wise.
Joe Cross 12:43 29.10.2024
It’s not a popularity contest. It’s a battle for survival for Israel. Had 10/7 not happened Iran would be in a stronger position today and the invasion would come from the north, east and south all…
[Anonymous] 12:39 29.10.2024
All we hear from USA 🇺🇸 Don’t to this or that . We 🇮🇱are a sovereign state & the priority of Netanyahu is to protect his people & COUNTRY 🇮🇱When the time is right he will do the rightright thing
Joe Cross 12:36 29.10.2024
Prophecy will be fulfilled! God sets leaders in place. He dictates what and how things work. Even Biden is His choice. Israel has hardened hearts filled with self promoting seekers of power. Unite🇮🇱
[Anonymous] 11:25 29.10.2024
May Adonai bless Benjamin N. With strength, wisdoms and rest! More added today tomorrow and forward, in Yeshua’s name.
Stephen Black 11:16 29.10.2024
On here to Get Netanyahu to order the strike on Iran nuclear infrastructure to completely destroy it Now is the time to strike Iran and destroy Muslim Brotherhood worldwide
Stephen Black 11:11 29.10.2024
We will never back down Now go and bomb those SOB Iranians Sky high now Bomb the whole nuclear infrastructure NOW What more do we have to do
Stephen Black 11:10 29.10.2024
Will the antisemites hate us even more ? They hate us if we fight back and they rub their hands with glee when we take a breather thinking we have backed down
Stephen Black 11:08 29.10.2024
He survived through the Holocaust and saved the West with his decision to bomb Osirak What’s the worse that will happen when we bomb Irans nuclear infrastructure
Stephen Black 11:06 29.10.2024
Begin had more guts than the whole World political leadership Remenber what he said ‘I ‘I don’t stand here as a Jew with trembling knees …’ Begin walked the walk and talked the talk
Stephen Black 11:04 29.10.2024
So does it matter what they think Begin attacked the Osirak Nuclear reactor on 7/6/81 We just did that and didn’t Ask for anyones permission
Stephen Black 11:02 29.10.2024
How many times do we have to post on here for Netanyahu to take notice and strike Iran hard The whole current world political set up wants Israel destroyed That’s so obvious
Soniya Christova 10:55 29.10.2024
There is only 1 chance to bring all Hostages home Stop all funds trucks with foods fuel aids etc for Palestinians as most taken by terrorists u til ALL Hostages be realessed alive unconditionally
Soniya Christova 10:51 29.10.2024
And Israel must never again promised permanent sease or to not retaliate but only with terms & bring to judgement all Islamic jihadists dictators leaders at regimes &proterorists as UNRWA UN ICJ ICC
Cindy 10:48 29.10.2024
Herzog must be an infiltrator. Follow his money. Find out. Gods said Netanyahu had infiltrators.
Soniya Christova 10:48 29.10.2024
Yes Israel must destroy all Islamic. terror.groups dismantle terror regimes drive out all Islamic Arabs occupiers to their 22 Arabian from 56 Muslim states
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