Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, speaks with Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman during a special cabinet meeting to mark Jerusalem Day in Ein Lavan, on the outskirts of Jerusalem, Thursday, June 2, 2016. (Abir Sultan/Pool Photo via AP) Israel celebrated its 70th Independence Day this week, where Iran was mentioned several times in speeches
Following Friday’s threat by Iranian general Hossein Salami, Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired back at Iran, saying Israel has never been more ready to defend itself.
Asked about the Iranian threats by reporters on Friday, Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman said Israel was fully prepared for a “multi-arena” conflict, referring to fire from both Gaza and Lebanon.
“We have been hearing these threats for many years now, and I am suggesting that all those on the northern border [in Lebanon] really think hard about what they do — they really should not test the IDF or the State of Israel,” Liberman said in response to Salami’s threat that Israel’s air bases are within reach.
“We are ready for a multi-arena scenario and I don’t remember a time of such preparedness and readiness, both in the army and among the people of Israel,” the defense minister said as he was touring the Gaza border amid Friday’s protests in the Strip.
Salami, the vice commander of Iran’s revolutionary guards, issued a harshly-worded threat to Israel on Friday, warning that the Jewish State’s air bases were “within reach” for Iranian missiles and once they strike the only escape will be the sea.
In this picture released by an official website of the office of the Iranian supreme leader on Wednesday, May 20, 2015, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, right, arrives at a graduation ceremony of the Revolutionary Guard’s officers, while deputy comm (Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP)
“Israel: Don’t trust in your airbases; they’re within reach,” Salami wrote on Twitter.
“Don’t have hope in US and UK; when they arrive, you’re not there… Smallest goal will be your existence.You can’t bear. When you escape, you’ll have no way but to the sea,” he added.
Tensions between arch-foes Israel and Iran have reached a crescendo in recent weeks since Israel’s pre-dawn attack on an Iranian-operated T-4 (Tayfur) airbase that killed 14 people, reportedly including 7 Iranian personnel.
In an earlier tweet on Friday, Salami wrote: “Hands are on the trigger and missiles are ready and will be launched at any moment that enemy has a sinister plot… North and west of Israel are at the intersection of fire; you will not escape. You live in the dragon’s mouth.”
Prime Minister Netanyahu fired back at the Iranian general’s threats, saying the IDF will fight whoever tries to harm the Jewish state.
“We hear the threats from Iran. The IDF and the security forces are ready for any development. We will fight whoever tries to harm us. We will not shy away from the price and we will exact a price from those who want to hurt us. The IDF is ready for the job and the people will stand strong.”
Israel celebrated its 70th Independence Day this week, where Iran was mentioned several times in speeches by President Reuven Rivlin and Netanyahu.
At a reception for ambassadors, diplomats and military attaches from around the world at Rivlin’s residence in Jerusalem on Thursday, the President stated that Iran continues to be a threat to the stability of the region.
“Of course there are others who do not want peace. The Iranian regime – not the Iranian people – continues to support terror and hatred and to endanger world’s security. This is a challenge for the whole world, and the whole world must face it together. We all must do everything we can to stop these evil regime.”
Netanyahu appealed to the foreign diplomats by calling Iran an enemy of the entire international community.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at Israel’s 70th Independence Day ceremony in Jerusalem, April 18, 2018 i24NEWS
“There are two things that you can do to help Israel celebrate this great Independence Day. The first thing is – speak out against Iran. Iran is the enemy of us all – of Israel and the Arab world. It openly speaks about liquidating Israel in the 21st century.”
Netanyahu’s comments came a day before the Iranian general threatened to annihilate Israel.
