Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu opened the Likud faction meeting Monday afternoon with references to the Gaza border terror tunnel demolitions that took place earlier in the day..
"The first responsibility of every government is to take care of the security of its citizens.We do just that," Netanyahu said.
"I've told you many times that we're developing groundbreaking technology to deal with the tunnel threat, and now we're implementing it. Today we located a tunnel and destroyed it and we will continue to do so. We see Hamas as responsible for any attempt to harm our sovereignty that emanates from its territory by people subject to its authority and we will continue to protect the borders of Israel," he added.
At the same time Netanyahu said, "We're developing Israel's foreign relations, and I just came from three meetings with three governors: the governor of Wisconsin, the governor of the state of Illinois, and the governor of New Zealand. From here I'm going to meet my friend, Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull, a great friend of the State of Israel who came here with the Governor of New Zealand to mark the 100th anniversary of the liberation of Beersheba from the rule of the Turks by Australian and New Zealand cavalry. It's a very exciting moment.
"A few days after this event is the date the Balfour Declaration was signed, and I will travel to London this week for a special occasion to mark this historic event and meet with British Prime Minister Theresa May and Foreign Minister Boris Johnson, of course.Israel, because of its technological power, our initiatives, our security and intelligence capabilities, these strengths are also integrated with political power," Netanyahu said.
At the end of the speech, Netanyahu devoted a few words to public backing for coalition chairman David Bitan, "I also wanted to point out that this week another event will occur whose significance will not be evident in the coalition chairman's demeanor ... I don't know how it will turn out, but I'm sure that as I flip through all the channels I'll be seeing you on each one. It's a technological marvel, I want to tell you, I know that friends have suggestions from time to time, and criticism is legitimate, but I think we all know that David is leading the coalition in an extraordinary way and we support you and stand behind you.- Thank you!"