At the state memorial marking 50 years since the death of his brother, Lt. Col. Yoni Netanyahu, who was killed in the Entebbe operation, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a forceful speech and revealed for the first time the names of two covert operations against Iran’s regime, “With the Lion’s Might” and “Roaring Lion.” Speaking at his brother’s grave in the military cemetery on Mount Herzl, he said the operations were intended to remove an immediate threat of annihilation from Iran, adding, “Had we not acted, they would already have had atomic bombs, and they would have used them.”
Netanyahu also addressed the tense situation on Israel’s northern border and said the Israel Defense Forces would not rush to withdraw from territory seized during the ground maneuver, despite international pressure or fragile agreements. “We achieved great gains and we will not give them up,” he said. “We will remain in the security zone in southern Lebanon for as long as necessary to protect the residents of the north, who are dear to us, and all the citizens of the state. As Prime Minister of Israel, I insist on this firmly, and nothing will change it.”
He linked that pledge to a promise he said he made to his late brother 50 years ago, declaring, “I promise here at your grave, Yoni, and I promise you, 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 ended with a direct warning to Tehran and said stopping Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons is the mission of his life.
“Whatever the political developments, I will not allow Iran to arm itself with nuclear weapons. As long as I am Prime Minister of Israel, it will not happen,” he said. “For this sacred goal, I have devoted my life since your fall, Yoni.”
