PM: Iranian terror base in Gaza will be ripped out

Netanyahu faces Knesset in special session called over recent escalation in south; states peace deal with PA won't rid Israel of Iranian threat

Moran Azulay|Published: 03.14.12 , 17:30

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the Knesset plenum Wednesday in a special session called following the recent round of escalation in the south.

The session, titled "the political, economical and social failures of Netanyahu's government," was called after 40 Knesset members singed a bill mandating the prime minister to face the House.

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Netanyahu began his speech by stating that "Israel has the right to defend itself against all threats… but there is no such thing as hermetic protection against rockets."

He further said that this sentiment – especially vis-à-vis the Iranian threat – was "fully understood and supported by the United States administration," adding that the US was unequivocally supportive "of Israel's right to be able to defend itself by itself.

Netanyahu mentioned previous prime ministers who responded to threats even though they were urged not to by the United States. "In 1981 the same sense of duty guided (Menachem) Begin vis-à-vis the nuclear reactor in Iraq. He was well aware of the international scrutiny – including from the United States and President (Ronald) Reagan, but he nevertheless fulfilled his duty."

Netanyahu (Photo: Noam Moskowitz)

"Over time we will discover that our relationship with the United States is becoming stronger and closer. We prefer to see Iran abandon its nuclear program in peaceful ways, but it is my duty to maintain Israel's ability to protect itself in the face of any challenge," he told the Knesset.

"We would all like to see Iran abandon its nuclear program willingly, no one more so than Israel, than me; but my duty is to make sure that Israel can defend itself. I think I was able to make the point clear during my visit to Washington," he said.

To those claiming that a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will help resolve the Iranian threat he said: "There are many reasons to strike peace with the Palestinians… but to think that peace with the PA will stop Iran and its proxies is a dangerous illusion.

"Make no mistake," he stated, "Gaza is Iran. The missiles are Iran, the money is Iran, the infrastructure is Iran and in many cases the instruction are form Iran. Gaza is a front post for Iran.

"Iran has been allowed into Gaza – and will take it out of Gaza," he continued. Netanyahu's speech was interrupted several times by Arab MKs, who were called to order by Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin.

"Our enemies must know that Israel will not tolerate an Iranian terror base in Gaza Strip and sooner or later it will be ripped out."

Opposition Leader Tzipi Livni, who took the podium following Netanyahu, said that Kadima under her leadership would back any action against the terror emanating from Gaza.

"The prime minister's visit to the US was crowned with success because Netanyahu managed to raise the Iranian matter on the agenda, but he also managed to remove the Palestinian issue and erased any and all hope from the citizens of the State of Israel," she said.