Speaking at a memorial ceremony for fallen members of the Etzel paramilitary organization in Jaffa, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu once again promises to operate in Rafah against Hamas.
“We will do what we must in order to win and to triumph over out enemies,” says Netanyahu in prepared remarks, “including in Rafah.”
Perhaps hinting at cabinet debates over the right response to the Iranian attack on Israel last month, Netanyahu says “there were and there are disagreements among us over operations in distant and close theaters.”
“But at the end of the debate, I made a decision, and the decision was received,” he continues. “We operate there, and we will operate here as well.”
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated US opposition to an operation in Rafah during his visit yesterday.
Turning to Israel’s allies, Netanyahu says Israel is grateful to them.
“But to our good friends, I say: decisions on issues that concern our existence – we make ourselves responsibly and carefully. We will do everything to continue to protect our country.”
Netanyahu is slated to head meetings of the war cabinet and the national security cabinet this evening.
It's not (only) about you.
Supporting The Times of Israel isn’t a transaction for an online service, like subscribing to Netflix. The ToI Community is for people like you who care about a common good: ensuring that balanced, responsible coverage of Israel continues to be available to millions across the world, for free.
Sure, we'll remove all ads from your page and you'll unlock access to some excellent Community-only content. But your support gives you something more profound than that: the pride of joining something that really matters.
Join the Times of Israel Community
Join our Community
Already a member? Sign in to stop seeing this
You're a dedicated reader
We’re really pleased that you’ve read X Times of Israel articles in the past month.
That’s why we started the Times of Israel - to provide discerning readers like you with must-read coverage of Israel and the Jewish world.
So now we have a request. Unlike other news outlets, we haven’t put up a paywall. But as the journalism we do is costly, we invite readers for whom The Times of Israel has become important to help support our work by joining The Times of Israel Community.
For as little as $6 a month you can help support our quality journalism while enjoying The Times of Israel AD-FREE, as well as accessing exclusive content available only to Times of Israel Community members.
Thank you,
David Horovitz, Founding Editor of The Times of Israel
Join Our Community
Join Our Community
Already a member? Sign in to stop seeing this