‘Israel must be strong,’ prime minister says

“Israel must be strong, it must be very strong; no one will make peace with a weak Israel,” Netanyahu says.

He also says the country must be wise.

He alludes to “bridge building” with neighbors, which is delicate but can ramp up in coming years. He calls on these neighbors to help with Palestinian issue.

Lastly, he says Israel must be confident. “Israel’s values stand out like a beacon in the dark Middle East,” he says.

He paraphrases writer George Elliot, who said “a state will shine the light of freedom against the despotism of the Middle East,” or something like that.

He points to ways Israel is unique in upholding values and helping others, even against violence and even when the country is defamed.

“We uphold universal values in a region where those values have been shunted aside, trampled in the dust,” he says.

He then ends his speech with a paean to the light Israel is, to mild applause.