Netanyahu Threatens Force Near Tulkarm, Links Security to Elections
Translated & summarized from Arab48 by baba
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened severe military action from the West Bank and linked security concerns to the upcoming elections during a visit near Tulkarm. He reaffirmed Israeli military control, rejected the return of displaced residents to the Tulkarm camp, and warned enemies against testing Israel's readiness. Netanyahu also highlighted ongoing settlement construction and vowed to maintain Israeli security in the region.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Prime Minister Netanyahu threatened severe military force against potential West Bank attacks, linking security to elections.
- Netanyahu visited the West Bank's "seam zone" and received security briefings from military and intelligence officials.
- He warned enemies against testing Israel's readiness, promising a "force you have not dreamed of."
- Netanyahu called the Tulkarm refugee camp a "former terrorist stronghold" and opposed residents' return.
- He reaffirmed Israel's continued military control over the region and the establishment of settlements.
- Netanyahu stated Israel is guarding from the Jordan River to the sea, ensuring "our state, our control."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday threatened severe military force against potential attacks from the West Bank, linking security warnings to the upcoming Israeli elections. Speaking during a tour near Tulkarm, Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel's continued military control over the area and rejected the return of displaced residents to the Tulkarm refugee camp, positioning security as a central theme of his election campaign.
Netanyahu made these remarks during a visit to the "seam zone" near the West Bank separation barrier. He was accompanied by Defense Minister Israel Katz and the head of the National Security Council, among other military officials. They received briefings from military leaders, the Shin Bet security agency, and Border Police on measures to protect Israeli towns bordering the area and ongoing operations within Palestinian villages.
"We have warnings here, and this is true. Our enemies are thinking of testing us these days, just before the elections," Netanyahu stated in a video address. "I warn them that we are prepared for any scenario, including the so-called 'turning of the guns,'" he added, referring to the possibility of Palestinian security forces targeting Israeli troops.
He further stated that the army presented him and the defense minister with a "bold and strong plan." "In such a case, I would not advise our enemies to test us. You will face a force you have not dreamed of," he warned.
Netanyahu specifically addressed the Tulkarm refugee camp, calling it a "former terrorist stronghold" that the Israeli military "cleansed under our direction." He dismissed calls from a "person in the Supreme Court" to allow residents to return, stating, "These are not residents, but terrorists," thereby justifying the continued prevention of their return.
He emphasized that the Israeli military would maintain control of the region, stating, "There will be no Arab army west of the Jordan River here, but the Israeli army will be here." Netanyahu linked continued Israeli military control in the West Bank to its proximity to Israeli coastal cities, noting, "We are minutes from Netanya, minutes from the coastal plain. Israel's narrow waist will not remain narrow." He concluded by asserting, "We are guarding from the Jordan River to the sea. Our state, our control."
Netanyahu also mentioned the ongoing establishment of settlements and outposts, stating, "We are establishing settlements here, more than 104, and many settlement farms." He concluded his remarks by affirming his government's commitment to "maintaining Israel's security here, in the seam zone, and everywhere."
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