Netanyahu Rejects Claims of Land Theft, Cites Jewish Historical Connection

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday released a video statement on X, formerly Twitter, refuting claims that Israel steals land and is losing its moral advantage. "The Jewish people's right to their own state in their historic homeland is not up for negotiation," he asserted.

Netanyahu stated he had recently heard a "regrettable statement" suggesting Israel was stealing land and losing its moral standing. He countered, "The Jewish people are not foreign conquerors in the land of our forefathers. Our history is not a colonial enterprise; we did not steal this land, this is our homeland."

He emphasized the Jewish people's deep historical connection to the land, referring to it as Judea, from which Jews originated. "We are not the Dutch in Indonesia, we are not the Belgians in the Congo, we are Jews in Judea," he declared, drawing a distinction between the Jewish presence and historical colonial occupations.

Netanyahu argued that the obstacle to peace is not Israel's struggle for existence but its enemies' refusal to recognize a Jewish state in any borders. He cited slogans like "Death to Israel" and "Death to America" as evidence of this animosity. Addressing Americans, he stated, "We are 'Little Satan,' you are 'Big Satan,' and we defend our shared values."

Concluding his remarks, the Prime Minister warned against illusory peace agreements, stating, "Peace based on illusions will shatter on the rocks of reality in the Middle East." He affirmed that Israel would not gamble with its survival to appease those who deny its right to exist or seek to placate terrorism.