Netanyahu restated in a IDF staff meeting that Israel reserves the right to defend itself against its enemies.
Israel has a right to use its military to defend itself against regional threats, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday as he continues his diplomatic battle to stop Russian made arms from flowing into the hands of Israel’s neighboring enemies.
"The meaning of independence in my view is, first of all, the ability to defend yourself,” Netanyahu said as he spoke of Israel’s military option for the third time in less then a week before he met with the IDF General Staff forum.
“To the growing threats around us we have a response, which is found in this room. I rely on you, Chief-of-Staff, and I rely on the IDF. The people of Israel rely on you,” Netanyahu said.
Publicly Netanyahu has linked that threat to Iran, as he speaks of the dangers the deal to curb its nuclear program that is under negotiation between Tehran and the six world powers.
But Defense News on Sunday said that such threats by Netanyahu could also be aimed at Russian military equipment transferred by Syria or Iran to Hezbollah.
Netanyahu warned Russian President Vladimir Putin about this possibly when the two spoke by telephone last week, according to Defense News.