Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of the State of Israel, holding up a poster titled “The Curse”, said it shows “the curse of Iran’s terror axis”.  “This axis threatened the peace of the entire world, the stability of our region and the very existence of my country, Israel,” he underscored.  Iran was developing  massive nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes, he said, meant not only to destroy Israel but to threaten the United States and “blackmail nations everywhere”.  Describing attacks by Iran’s forces against Israel launched from Gaza on 7 October 2023, and those that followed from Lebanon, Syria and Yemen, he said that over the past year, his country has “hammered the Houthis […], crushed the bulk of Hamas’ terror machine, crippled Hizbullah, destroyed Assad’s armaments in Syria and deterred Iran’s Shi’ite militias in Iraq”.  Most importantly, Israel has devastated Iran’s atomic weapons and ballistic missile programmes, he said.

Recalling “Israel’s 12-day war in Iran”, he thanked “President [Donald J.] Trump for his bold and decisive action” with Israel to deliver on “the promise of preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons”. “We removed an existential threat to Israel and a mortal threat to the civilized world,” he declared.  “We must not allow Iran to rebuild its military nuclear capacities,” he said, adding:  “Tomorrow, UN Security Council sanctions on Iran must be snapped back.”  However, the final remnants of Hamas remain in Gaza City, and they vow to repeat the atrocities of 7 October 2023.  He lamented that “much of the world no longer remembers 7 October [2023]”, naming the 20 living Israeli hostages who remain in Gaza.  Addressing them, he said:  “We have not forgotten you.  The people of Israel are with you.  We will not rest; we will not falter until we bring all of you home.”

Noting that his “words are also being streamed live to the cell phones of Gazans”, he addressed Hamas’ leaders, declaring:  “Lay down your arms.  Let my people go.  Free the hostages — all of them, the whole 48.  Free the hostages now!”  He warned: “If you do, you will live.  If you don’t, Israel will hunt you down.”  He underscored that “if Hamas agrees to our demands, the war could end right now”.  Gaza would be demilitarized, Israel would retain overriding security control and a peaceful civilian authority would be established by Gazans and others committed to peace with Israel.

Stressing that “our enemies are your enemies”, he voiced appreciation for President Trump’s administration, which is “forcefully fighting the scourge of antisemitism”.  However, others “reward the worst antisemites on Earth”, he said, recalling that this week the leaders of France, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and others unconditionally recognized a Palestinian State.  Peace is possible between Israel and countries in the region, he said, encouraging their cooperation with Israel, which would bring them benefits in medicine, science, defence and other fields.  “In the coming years, the Middle East will look dramatically different,” he said, voicing hope that “brave peacemakers” will today replace those who waged war in Israel and who will then be gone.