From the Liveblog of
Thursday, April 18, 2024
Netanyahu calls for unity amid ‘existential threat’: ‘Nations disintegrate first from within’
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu makes a call for unity amid the ongoing war in Gaza and the “overall threat” from Iran, during separate meetings today with the heads of Israel’s security agencies.
“The internal split needs to disappear now because we’re under an existential threat — and in an existential threat, we join forces,” he says.
Netanyahu and Mossad spy agency chief David Barnea discussed various regional developments, including the importance of securing the release of over 100 hostages held by terror groups in Gaza since October 7, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.
Afterward, Netanyahu met with Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar for a working meeting, the statement adds.
“We are also committed to defeating the terrorist axis in Gaza, both to free the hostages and to repel the overall threat coming from Iran. These are huge tasks that require two things: the first thing it requires is determination, the second thing it requires is unity,” the prime minister says during the meeting with Mossad officials.
“Nations disintegrate first from within. Not from external pressure, but first of all from the internal division,” he adds.
