From the Liveblog of
Saturday, December 2, 2023
Netanyahu: I suggested to Gallant that we hold a joint press conference; he decided not to
Having completed his opening statement, Prime Minister Netanyahu takes numerous questions.
Asked how he will respond if Hamas can again be brought to a truce, he stresses: “Hamas breached the agreement. I said we’d resume the war if they did, and that’s what happened.”
“There is international pressure,” he acknowledges, but says he has created space for Israel to continue with its war goals.
“Ultimately, we make the decisions — and our definitive decision is to destroy Hamas, to return our hostages, and ensure no new terror control of Gaza,” he says.
Asked why he and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant held separate press conferences, minutes apart, Netanyahu says: “I suggested to the defense minister tonight to hold a joint press conference. He decided what he decided. But it’s important that the public hear us,” he says, and adds that the two and the rest of the Israeli leadership “are working together” to achieve the war’s goals.
A reporter suggests Netanyahu has passed up opportunities in recent years to eliminate the Hamas leadership in a surprise attack.
He responds: “I won’t act irresponsibly and reveal the full picture that was presented to me and the range of recommendations that I received from the security establishments. When it was possible, we eliminated many leaders of Hamas and other terror groups, and we will complete that mission now,” he says.
Next, he is asked if he will quit after the war, given his unpopularity in recent surveys.
Answers Netanyahu: “I don’t deal with surveys. I received a mandate from the citizens of Israel to lead the State of Israel… If we worked on the basis of daily surveys, I wouldn’t be here for a day, it seems to me.”
He hails the teams around him as he oversees the war in both the diplomatic and military fields.
He welcomes US backing and says the US supports some of the war goals, “two of them for sure” — an apparent reference to public differences with the administration regarding post-war Gaza, where the US wants to see a “revitalized” Palestinian Authority in charge.
“There are differences of opinion on how to achieve all these goals,” he acknowledges, but says the two allies have broadly managed to get over them. He also acknowledges some disagreement “on the humanitarian issues.”
“Ultimately this is our war. Ultimately we have to make the decisions. Ultimately, we do make the decisions. We try and often succeed in convincing our American friends. I hope and believe that will be the case in the future.”
