Falcon powers – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed on Thursday that Jews would “stand alone” if necessary, amidst the escalating international criticism of the Israeli state due to the war in Gaza.
During a meeting with Holocaust survivors, Netanyahu stated, “If we have to stand alone, we will stand alone.”
He added, “If it is possible to enlist non-Jews, that is good, but if we don’t defend ourselves, no one will protect us.” The Prime Minister reiterated his determination to launch a ground assault on the city of Rafah in the southernmost part of the Gaza Strip, despite international calls to abandon these plans, as hundreds of thousands of civilians are trapped in the city.
Netanyahu’s statements come at a time when Israel is facing increasing criticism from the international community during the ongoing war that has lasted for approximately seven months, resulting in a severe humanitarian crisis and widespread destruction in the besieged Palestinian territory.
During his visit to Israel this week, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated his country’s rejection of a ground operation in Rafah unless reliable plans are in place to protect civilians.
Netanyahu’s statements on Thursday coincide with weeks of supportive protests in American universities in solidarity with Palestinians and demanding an end to the war in Gaza.
The war erupted on October 7th following an unprecedented attack by Hamas on southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of 1,170 people, mostly civilians, according to a count by Agence France-Presse based on official Israeli data.
Over 250 people were abducted, with 129 of them still held captive in Gaza. Thirty-four of them have died, according to Israeli officials.
In response to the attack, Israel pledged to eliminate Hamas and has since carried out a devastating campaign of airstrikes and ground operations in the Gaza Strip, resulting in the deaths of 34,596 people, mostly civilians, according to the Ministry of Health affiliated with Hamas.
