PM: Lebanon becoming Iranian satellite

Government holds special session at Kibbutz Degania in honor of its centennial year. Netanyahu addresses Iranian president's recent visit to Lebanon, says 'we will know how to defend ourselves.' Shalit supporters stage protest rally across from meeting

Ahiya Raved|Published: 10.17.10 , 13:46

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his ministers held a special cabinet meeting at Kibbutz Degania Sunday, in honor of its centennial year.

Degania, set on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, was the first kibbutz ever formed; and the ministers honoring it held their meeting it the building once used as the kibbutz dairy.

Netanyahu spoke of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's visit to Lebanon, saying that, "We have recently heard new threats and blasphemies against Israel. Lebanon is soon becoming an Iranian satellite, but we will know how to defend ourselves.

"From Degania's first days, though Israel's inception, we have, and are, reaching out for peace."

Aviva Shalit at Degania rally (Photo: Hagai Aharon)

The government session was met by a Shalit rally, featuring several hundred protestors led by the Shalit family. Noam Shalit, father of kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit, said that the family has not been given any new information regarding the German-brokered negotiations between Israel and Hamas.

"We have no knowledge of any ongoing negotiations. Nothing new has since January," he said. "Clearly efforts are being made, but nothing real has happened."

Environmental Protection Minister Gilad Erdan said that "Netanyahu was willing to pay the highest price ever paid for a captive soldier. I can only hope Hamas will finally show some willingness."