Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu used the Knesset plenum to release his latest political address in his opening remarks at the start of the Knesset winter session.

The prime minister expressed his support for the leaders of the former administration, vowing the government will not permit the International Court of Justice in The Hague to prosecute them. He reiterated that Operation Cast Lead was justifiable, as every sovereign nation has the right and responsibility to defend her citizens, as was the case.

Regarding the Goldstone Commission report, he called on his fellow lawmakers to take note of the terminology used in the report, referring to Israel as an “occupying force” despite having withdrawn from every centimeter of land in Gaza. He added the report is “distorted” and “encourages terror”.

He called on the PA (Palestinian Authority) to take the bold step and recognize Israel’s right to exist, to return to the negotiating table without preconditions, to advance efforts for a comprehensive regional peace. He called on the PA and the Arab nations to finally realize Israel is not the enemy of Islam and until they recognize Israel’s right to exist, there cannot be peace in the area.

Other major issues were addressed as well, including the Iranian threat, the administration’s focus on the nation’s education system, efforts to improve the economy and the zero-tolerance policy aimed at curtailing violence in society.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)