Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke on Sunday at the memorial marking 50 years since the death of his brother, Lt. Col. Yonatan Netanyahu, who was killed in Operation Entebbe while helping free Israeli hostages. At the ceremony, Netanyahu used the tribute to point to recent regional developments and the pressure surrounding Israel’s talks with the United States and Iran.
Netanyahu said that over the past year Israel had carried out two major operations, “Am Kalavi” and “Roar of the Lion,” which he said were meant to remove an immediate threat of annihilation from Iran’s regime. “Had we not acted, they would already have nuclear bombs, and they would have used them,” he said.
Turning directly to his late brother’s grave, Netanyahu declared: “I pledge here at your grave, Yoni, and I pledge to you, the citizens of Israel, that the State of Israel will not be a passing episode in the history of our people. We stand firm on our vital interests.” He said this in the context of what he described as heavy American pressure on Israel aimed at pleasing Iran, following understandings the sides signed together.
Netanyahu also stressed that Israel would not give up what it has achieved and would remain in the security buffer zone in southern Lebanon as long as needed to protect northern residents and the country as a whole. On Iran, he said Israel would act alone if necessary and would not allow Tehran to obtain nuclear weapons, adding, “As long as I am Prime Minister of Israel, that will not happen. For this sacred goal, I have devoted my life since your fall, Yoni.”
