Israel, Netanyahu: “We Can Move Forward Even on our Own”
According to the speech, delivered in early May, it is a response to Biden, who has threatened not to supply more weapons if Rafah is invaded
“To the leaders of the world I say: no pressure, no decision of any international forum will prevent Israel from defending itself. If Israel is forced to stand alone, Israel will stand alone.” Benjamin Netanyahu uttered these words a few days ago in a speech at Yad Vashem, the National Holocaust Remembrance Institute in Jerusalem, and posted them on X social network today in what appears to be a response to US President Joe Biden.
The White House leader acknowledged in a May 8 interview with CNN that US weapons had been used to kill civilians in Gaza and that if Israel invaded Rafah, he would block arms shipments to his ally. The supply of 3500 bombs has already been blocked, and more restrictions could follow.
“Civilians have been killed in Gaza as a result of these bombs,” Biden said, arguing that the current operations are “marginal.” “They did not enter populated areas, although their actions caused tension in the region. I have made it clear that if they go to Rafah – they have not yet done so – we will not provide the weapons that we have historically provided to govern Rafah and other cities,” and again: “We’re not walking away from Israel’s security. We’re walking away from Israel’s ability to wage war in those areas.” Words that were immediately picked up by Donald Trump, who called what Biden is doing to Israel “disgraceful. If any Jew voted for Joe Biden, he should be ashamed.”
And Israel wants to “go straight ahead,” as also confirmed by the words of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant: “Israel will achieve its goals in the south and north. Israel cannot be subjugated: not the IDF, not the Defense Ministry, not the defense establishment, not the State of Israel. We will resist, we will achieve our goals, we will strike Hamas, we will destroy Hezbollah, and we will provide security.”
