Netanyahu at Air Force Base: "Do Not Test Us"

Netanyahu (Photo: Roei Avraham, GPO)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited one of the Israeli Air Force bases today (Monday), where he received a briefing from the base commander on operational readiness and delivered a firm message to Israel's enemies. In his remarks, Netanyahu emphasized that Israel is prepared to act militarily as much as necessary, and warned of the consequences of any attempt to harm it.

The Prime Minister said: "I am at one of the Air Force bases. I spoke with the base commander, and I was impressed by the readiness, the determination, and the ability to strike our enemies the moment it is required."

Netanyahu then addressed Israel's enemies directly: "I say to our enemies: do not test us. You will absorb blows harder than any you have absorbed until today."

The Prime Minister also referred to the achievements of the defense establishment: "We all know what tremendous achievements we have had, thanks to our daring pilots, both men and women, and our ground crews, the Israel Defense Forces and the Government of Israel. We are determined to defend ourselves. Do not test us."

Netanyahu's remarks come against the backdrop of the IDF's announcement about raising the level of alert ahead of the election period. The Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, ordered today a freeze on leave in army units starting Thursday, along with reinforcement of forces in Central Command and increased operational readiness in additional sectors.