Netanyahu to Israel's enemies: We have power to destroy, do not test us
“I hear our neighbors from the north, south and east threatening to destroy us,” Netanyahu said.
By HERB KEINONPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at an army exercise in the north on June 19th, 2019(photo credit: AMOS BEN-GERSHOM/GPO)
Israel has tremendous destructive capabilities, and its enemies should not test it, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday after viewing a large IDF exercise in the north.“I am very impressed by the improvement in the [IDF’s] readiness, in the spirit of the fighters and the commanders, and especially in the IDF’s destructive power,” said Netanyahu, who is also the country’s defense minister. He viewed the mutli-pronged exercise with Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi, and spoke with IDF officers and soldiers participating in the drill.“I hear our neighbors from the north, south and east threatening to destroy us,” he said. “I say to our enemies: The IDF has a very large power of annihilation. Do not try us.”Netanyahu’s comments came amid an increase in regional tensions, including between the US and Iran in the Persian Gulf. The massive exercise incorporated all branches of the military, including the use of the F-35 stealth fighter recently acquired from the US.
