Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday’s International Holocaust Day that nothing could be more ridiculous than South Africa’s condemnation of “genocide” against Israel in The Hague “in the name of Hamas, in the name of the new Nazis.”
Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke a day after the International Court of Justice rejected a cease-fire order in Gaza. However, it came after a heated exchange in which the rhetoric reflected anti-Israel propaganda and barely mentioned the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel.
At a press conference at the end of the Jewish Sabbath, Prime Minister Netanyahu said that while South Africa clearly had not learned anything from the Holocaust, Israel had, and that lesson was that the Jewish state was left on its own to defend itself. He said that he had to depend on it.
Prime Minister Netanyahu began his speech by reading the last letters of soldiers who fell in combat in Gaza this week, and appealed for Israel to continue winning.
He reiterated Israel’s goal: to destroy Hamas, return the hostages and ensure that Gaza never threatens Israel again.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: “We have no choice but a complete victory.”
He dismissed the claims of those who say Israel cannot defeat Hamas, saying they are in the minority. He praised the courage of Israeli soldiers, especially reservists with separate lives and careers, who were prepared to risk their lives for the safety of their families and the survival of the nation as a whole.
During a subsequent question-and-answer session, Netanyahu at times clashed with reporters, saying, “I’m fighting Hamas, and you’re fighting me.”
The Israeli press, which leans to the political left, is known for its bold questions and disregard for authority.
The journalist, who had just completed more than 100 days of military reserve service in the war, asked about disagreements among the Israeli public over the annual budget, which allocates large amounts of money to people from religious groups who are not serving in the military.
Prime Minister Netanyahu countered that even devout Jews who are exempt from military service volunteer in various capacities.
“We have combined our capabilities,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, suggesting the question was aimed at reintroducing a sense of division.
Another journalist asked about a demonstration a few days ago by families of hostages who were blocking the delivery of humanitarian aid from Israel to Gaza via the Kerem Shalom crossing. Prime Minister Netanyahu said that despite the war, Israel cannot achieve its military goals unless it provides minimum humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians.
Asked about the next military action as Hamas’ stronghold of Khan Yunis continues to take control, Prime Minister Netanyahu declined to provide details, including whether the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) would move south to the border town of Rafah. Rejected.
Joel B. Pollack is a senior editor at Breitbart News. Breitbart News Sunday Sunday nights from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM ET (4:00 PM to 7:00 PM PT) on Sirius XM Patriot. He published his 2021 e-book “The Zionist conspiracy (and how to join it)‘ has been updated and a new preface has been added. He is also the author of a recently published e-book. Neither Free nor Fair: The 2020 US Presidential Election. He is the recipient of the 2018 Robert Novak Journalism Alumni Fellowship. Follow him on Twitter @joelpolak.
