Posted on 06/20/22
| News Source: Arutz-7
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett spoke with Israeli journalists in the Prime Minister's office today (Monday, June 20).
"We are in a period of numerous opportunities and threats, but I must say there are more opportunities than I expected. The State of Israel is growing stronger in the big picture. We're gaining rapidly in the economic, political, security, and technological spheres," he said.
Regarding the Iranian threat, Bennett said that President Biden's upcoming visit will present an opportunity to coordinate joint action with regard to the Islamic Republic. "Joint cooperation with the United States to halt Iran's nuclear program [is of utmost importance]," pointed out the Prime Minister.
"You're well aware of my stance on Iran. There are two dimensions to it - the regional terrorism and the nuclear [threat]," he continued. "Most of our security threats originate with Iran's proxies. I want to avoid skirmishes with the tentacles of that octopus, instead focusing the larger part of our effort on striking its head."
Addressing Iran's attempted attacks in Turkey following Israel's purported assassinations of IRGC commanders and leading scientists over the past weeks, Bennett said the threat was "hovering over Israelis in the country." "We are working on numerous levels to guarantee the security of our citizens. Along with appealing to Israelis to avoid traveling to Turkey, with an emphasis on Istanbul, we are also working closely with Turkish government officials to thwart attempts to harm Israelis and Jews," he explained.
"I can tell you that operational efforts alongside Turkish security officials have borne fruit and that in recent days, in a joint Israeli-Turkish effort, we have foiled a number of terrorist attacks and arrested a number of terrorists on Turkish soil."
"We are continuing the joint operation, with my goal being a return of Israeli tourism to the country."