From the Liveblog of
Sunday, April 14, 2024
Gantz: Israel will respond when time is right, must continue to strengthen regional alliances after successful defense against Iran
Sam Sokol is the Times of Israel's political correspondent. He was previously a reporter for the Jerusalem Post, Jewish Telegraphic Agency and Haaretz. He is the author of "Putin’s Hybrid War and the Jews"
Israel must strengthen the “strategic alliance and the regional cooperation” that allowed it to weather yesterday’s Iranian attack, war cabinet Minister Benny Gantz declares in a statement.
“Iran is a global problem, it is a regional challenge and it is also a danger to Israel, and yesterday, the world clearly stood together with Israel in the face of the danger. Israel against Iran, the world against Iran – this is the result. This is a strategic achievement, which we must leverage for Israel’s security,” he says.
“This event is not over – the strategic alliance and the regional cooperation system that we built and stood its significant test need to be strengthened precisely now. Israel proved yesterday that it is an anchor of military and technological power, and an anchor of security in the Middle East,” he continues.
“Faced with the threat of Iran – we will build a regional coalition and exact the price from Iran, in the way and at the time that suits us. And most importantly – in the face of the desire of our enemies to harm us, we will unite and become stronger,” Gantz adds, seemingly indicating that he does not support immediate retaliation against Iran itself.
“Even today, we must remember that we have not yet completed our tasks – primarily the return of the hostages and the removal of the threat against the residents of the north and south. We will continue the campaign, with determination and responsibility. And together – we will win.”
