Netanyahu at officers’ graduation says Israel has turned the tide against its enemies

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke at the graduation ceremony of a combat officers’ course at the IDF’s Bahad 1 base, saying Israel is in the middle of a prolonged, multi-front war. He said, “We have turned the situation upside down, our pursuers have become the pursued.”

Netanyahu also addressed the ongoing fighting in southern Lebanon, saying Israel would not withdraw from the security belt there even if the United States asked it to. “We will remain in the security zone in southern Lebanon, we will keep the controlling areas for as long as needed,” he said.

Turning to Iran, Netanyahu warned that if Israel had not acted, Iran would already have nuclear weapons. “If we had not acted, they would have had atomic bombs today. We will not allow Iran to develop nuclear bombs,” he said.

The remarks came as he presented the graduates with a wider strategic picture, tying together the war on several fronts, Israel’s posture in Lebanon, and efforts to stop Iran’s nuclear program.