Netanyahu at Yoni Netanyahu memorial vows to block Iran’s nuclear program

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke on Sunday at the memorial ceremony for his brother, Lt. Col. Yoni Netanyahu, marking 50 years since his death in the Entebbe raid. The event focused on Yoni Netanyahu’s legacy, and Netanyahu closed by praising his brother’s security and moral example.

In his remarks, Netanyahu reviewed Israel’s security operations over the past year and said the country launched two major campaigns, "With the Lion" and "Roar of the Lion," to confront the Iranian threat. He said, "We launched these operations to move an immediate danger of annihilation away from us from the evil regime in Iran. Had we not acted, they already would have had atomic bombs, and they would have used them."

Netanyahu also issued a firm statement about Israel’s future: "The State of Israel will not be a passing episode in our people’s history. We stand firm on our vital interests." He said that, regardless of political developments, he will not allow Iran to obtain nuclear weapons, adding, "As long as I am prime minister of Israel, this will not happen." He said this has been a long-standing commitment since Yoni Netanyahu’s death.

On the northern front, Netanyahu said Israel will continue to hold the security zone in southern Lebanon "as long as necessary" to protect northern residents and the country’s citizens as a whole.