Netanyahu Highlights Development in Dimona and Warns Iran in Negev Conference Speech

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke at the Negev conference in Dimona on June 30, 2026, emphasizing the transformation of Dimona from a neglected town with poor living conditions into a thriving city under his governments. He highlighted infrastructure improvements such as roads, interchanges, and railways, expressing his goal to eliminate the concept of peripheral neglect in Israel.

Addressing nationalist crime, Netanyahu revealed efforts to involve the Shin Bet security agency more actively. He criticized past approaches that accepted Hamas’s terms during the Gaza conflict, arguing that rejecting those proposals prevented militant leaders like Sinwar, Daff, and Haniyeh from gaining power and stopped Hezbollah from amassing a larger arsenal of rockets in Lebanon.

Netanyahu also criticized most media outlets for abandoning the Negev region, urging the public to recognize ongoing development projects, including extending the railway from Eilat to Kiryat Shmona. He acknowledged the military’s limitations in diplomacy, stating that political leadership must take charge.

On Iran, Netanyahu warned that Israel is prepared for any scenario and cautioned Iranian leaders against expecting calm if they attack Israel, promising a powerful and unprecedented response. He declared the end of tolerating attacks without strong retaliation.

The speech combined domestic achievements with security warnings, underscoring Netanyahu’s commitment to regional development and national defense.