After rabbi’s killing, PM vows to strengthen UAE ties ‘in face of axis of evil attempts to damage’ relations

At the beginning of the weekly cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promises to use all available means to catch the killers of Chabad Rabbi Zvi Kogan in Abu Dhabi. “None of them will be spared,” he pledges.

Netanyahu expresses his appreciation for the United Arab Emirates’ cooperation in the investigation, and promises to “strengthen our ties in the face of the attempts from the axis of evil to damage the peaceful relations between us.”

Turning to Gaza, Netanyahu says that Israel is checking a new Hamas video that allegedly shows the body of one of the female hostages, but it cannot yet verify that the footage indeed shows her. He adds that he just spoke to the hostage’s mother.

“We are committed to doing everything to return all the hostages,” he says.

“We are trying to exhaust every opportunity, every crack, every opening, and I will not elaborate on the matter,” says Netanyahu.

The prime minister repeats his offer of $5 million for anyone who frees a living hostage.

“I appeal to the residents of Gaza,” he says. “You can choose life and secure your future and the future of your family, or you can cling to destruction and death. The decision is yours, choose life.”