"This is tragedy for Lebanon, but we know how to defend ourselves," PM says at Kibbutz Degania cabinet meeting; Schalit family protests outside.
By JPOST.COM STAFFNetanyahu with woman cabinet 311 AP(photo credit: AP)Lebanon is quickly becoming an additional Iranian satellite, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said on Sunday referring to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's recent visit to the country."This is a tragedy for Lebanon, but we in Israel will know how to defend ourselves and continue to build our country," Netanyahu said during a special cabinet meeting in honor of the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the first Kibbutz at Degania Alef.RELATED:US: Ahmadinejad's visit insult to Lebanese sovereigntyAnalysis: Ahmadinejad to issue warning in LebanonAnalysis: Is Hizbullah trying to take over Lebanon with Iran's help?Netanyahu's remarks came after Ahmadinejad again predicted Israel's destruction during his visit to Lebanon just a few kilometers from the Israeli border."Just as we have done so since Degania was founded, since the State of Israel was founded, we extend a hand to those of our neighbors who want peace with us," Netanyahu continued.The prime minister continued with the theme of Kibbutzim and said "we will succeed in building up the communities, towns and cities of the State of Israel in order to ensure our future in our homeland."Earlier in the day captive soldier Gilad Schalit's grandfather, Zvi Schalit, and hundreds of protesters arrived at the Kibbutz and called for for the government to bring about Gilad's release.Zvi Schalit, said that "a prime minister that doesn't bring about Gilad's release - is killing him," in an interview with Israel Radio on Sunday.
