Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a tour of the Tel Aviv campus on Saturday evening, in which he discussed, among other things, the discussion in The Hague, the possibility of the residents of the northern Gaza Strip returning to their homes, the issue of the Philadelphi route, the commission of inquiry established by the chief of staff, the state budget and cabinet discussions.
"No one will stop us – not even Hague," Netanyahu said in a statement. "The hypocritical attack in The Hague is a moral low. Our forces found copies of Hitler's Mein Kampf in Gaza. I told U.S. Secretary of State Blinken, 'It's not just our war, it's also your war.'"
The hearing at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, photo: Reuters
Netanyahu on the statements used by the prosecution in The Hague: "These things have no meaning, the government and the cabinet decide" // Photo: GPO
Regarding the statements made by coalition members presented in The Hague and used by the prosecution, Netanyahu said, "These statements are harsh, but it is logical that they were made after the difficult event. These things have no meaning. Government and cabinet policy expresses the true intentions. We comply with international law. The IDF is making every effort to avoid harming non-involved civilians."
On the possibility that residents of the northern Gaza Strip will return to their homes, Netanyahu said, "There is an international law that says that if you remove a population from a combat zone, you do not return the residents."
Netanyahu reiterated regarding the Philadelphi axis issue that Israel "will not end the war without closing the loophole in the Philadelphi route."
Philadelphi axis (archive), photo: AP
Regarding the uproar that erupted in the cabinet discussion with the participation of the chief of staff regarding the external commission of inquiry he ordered regarding the events of October 7, the prime minister said, "The decision itself and the need for an internal examination are understandable. External inspection is another thing. I want IDF commanders to deal with Hamas and not look for lawyers."
Asked to Netanyahu about the budget cuts, the prime minister said: "I said that we will need amendments and cuts because we need a huge security increase. No choice. We must prepare the defense industries so that we will not depend on anyone.
Netanyahu on the entry of Palestinian workers: "I am considering a pilot regarding their entry into isolated places and under security" // Photo: GPO
On Minister Dudi Amsalem, who serves as an observer in the cabinet: "He is a regular observer in the cabinet, he asks matter-of-fact, pointed and objective questions, and they are highly appreciated. He has a way of expressing himself, it doesn't detract from what I said."
Netanyahu also said that he was considering a pilot project for Palestinian workers to enter Israel. "The question of the entry of workers from the Palestinian Authority is complex. I am considering a pilot regarding their entry into isolated places and under security. I understand the concern of those who see 83% of Palestinians supporting the massacre."
Wrong? We'll fix it! If you find a mistake in the article, please share with us