Netanyahu: Iranians may be on the verge of overthrowing the ayatollahs

Israel’s prime minister says President Trump privately confirmed that Hamas must disarm for Gaza plan to be completed, showing no flexibility on that demand.

By David Rosenberg, World Israel News

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed guarded optimism over the weekend that growing popular unrest in Iran may mark the beginning of the end of the Islamic Republic, and touted President Donald Trump’s backing for a tough line against Hamas.

On Sunday, Netanyahu addressed the weekly government meeting, musing that the growing protest movement across Iran may succeed in toppling the Islamist regime.

“The government of Israel, the State of Israel, and my policy, we identify with the struggle of the Iranian people, with their aspirations for freedom, liberty, and justice,” said Netanyahu, as the Iranian protests entered their eighth day.

“It is very possible that we are standing at the moment when the Iranian people are taking their fate into their own hands.”

At least 16 people, including 15 protesters and one security officer, have been killed in the demonstrations, which have spanned 174 locations across more than 60 cities in 25 provinces.

Netanyahu said that during his meeting with Trump last week, the president backed Israel’s demand that the full implementation of the 20-point Gaza peace plan be made contingent on Hamas disarming.

Trump “was unequivocal,” Netanyahu said. “He repeated this both in our private conversations and to public opinion at the press conference there.”

“He said it: ‘The essential condition is that Hamas disarms.’ There is no other option. This is an essential and fundamental condition for the implementation of his 20-point plan. He made no concessions and showed no flexibility on this issue.”

The prime minister also touched on the dramatic US arrest operation in Caracas, Venezuela, over the weekend, which ended in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro.

Netanyahu celebrated Maduro’s arrest and congratulated Trump for the successful military operation.

“Regarding Venezuela, I want to express the entire government’s support for the determined decision and action of the United States to restore freedom and justice to that part of the world as well.”

“I must say that across Latin America right now, we are seeing a transformation; several countries are returning to the American axis and, not surprisingly, to a connection with the State of Israel. We welcome this. We congratulate President Trump on his decision.”