Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday rejected reports of Israeli weakness or withdrawals on multiple fronts, declaring that Israel remains determined to protect its security interests and will not accept a Palestinian state in either Gaza or Judea and Samaria.
Speaking at the start of the Government meeting, Netanyahu said Iran has refrained from attacking Israel because it knows the consequences of doing so.
“You have surely noticed an interesting point: Iran attacks all the countries in the region, and even outside the region, but there is one country it does not attack - the State of Israel," Netanyahu said.
“It has not attacked thus far; it might attack, but why have long weeks passed and it has not attacked us? Because it knows the massive blow we will inflict upon it if it does so."
Netanyahu said the comments came amid what he described as “a wave of rumors about Israeli weakness and Israeli withdrawals on all fronts."
Turning to Iran, Netanyahu praised US President Donald Trump and the partnership between Israel and the US in confronting Iran's nuclear ambitions.
“I greatly appreciate President Trump. He is the greatest of our friends in the White House," Netanyahu said.
“I greatly appreciate the historical partnership with the US against Iran's attempts to acquire nuclear weapons."
“With or without an agreement, as long as I am Prime Minister, Iran will not have a nuclear weapon," he added. “Because the existence of our precious country, the country of all of us, the existence of Israel, is not up for negotiation."
Regarding Lebanon, Netanyahu said Israel has recently conducted operations against terrorists and threats in the country.
“In recent days, Israel has acted with force in Lebanon, eliminating terrorists, including on the Ali Taher ridge," he said. “We are in the midst of a very important operation."
He said Israel was acting “prudently and wisely-with both determination and wisdom," while working alongside the IDF to eliminate threats.
On Gaza, Netanyahu reiterated his opposition to the establishment of a Palestinian state.
“As long as I am Prime Minister, a Palestinian state will not be established, neither in Gaza nor in Judea and Samaria," he said. “Neither 'Fatahstan' nor 'Hamastan'."
Netanyahu also addressed the 15-point proposal published by President Donald Trump's Board of Peace for Gaza.
“Israel does not accept the 15-point document," he stated.
“I have heard people saying: 'You didn't say it.' So here I am saying it again: Israel does not accept the 15-point document."
He stressed that the IDF would not withdraw until Hamas had been fully disarmed.
“The IDF will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is disarmed," Netanyahu said. “And when I say the disarming of Hamas, it means heavy weaponry, lighter weaponry, all weaponry."
“We are talking about genuine disarmament, not fictitious disarmament," he added.
Netanyahu said Israel is currently discussing the issue with the Americans, noting that some US proposals are acceptable to Israel while others are not.
“They have ideas, some of which are acceptable to us and some of which are unacceptable, and we know how to stand firm against these things," he said.
“The IDF will continue to thwart threats against our forces and our citizens," Netanyahu added.
Concluding his remarks, Netanyahu said Israel's security interests would remain non-negotiable.
“The existence of Israel and the security of all Israeli citizens are not up for negotiation," he said. “We stand firm on these interests."
“We do not do this in advertising agencies; we actually do it on the ground," Netanyahu continued, citing Israel's operations in Rafah and the Philadelphi Corridor, Lebanon, and Iran.
“Unlike all those who lecture us, we do what needs to be done for Israel's security, and we can and know how to stand our ground, even against our best friends when necessary."