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Netanyahu on Islamic terror and migrants: ‘We we need to safeguard our borders’

Addressing a conference in the Negev, Prime Minister Netanyahu reiterated the importance of the security fence on Israel’s border with Egypt.

By: World Israel News Staff

Addressing the 8th Negev Conference in Dimona on Tuesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed illegal immigration and other security issues related to Israel’s border with Egypt, noting the benefits of the security fence.

Between 2005 and 2013, around 60,000 migrants illegally entered Israel, primarily from Somalia, Sudan, and Eritrea. The crush of migrants was eventually thwarted by construction of a 152-mile long security fence, covering all of the Israeli-Egyptian border.

After the barrier was completed, Israel enjoyed a huge reduction in illegal crossings, reporting no infiltration at all last year.

“Israel is surrounded by outposts of radical Islam; therefore, we need to safeguard our borders,” declared Netanyahu.

He continued, “We have completed a major endeavor: Building a fence along more than 200 kilometers of border with Sinai. Were it not for the fence, we would be faced with a broken trough – severe attacks by Sinai terrorists, and something much worse, a flood of illegal migrants from Africa.”

“We are talking about a Jewish and democratic state but how could we assure a Jewish and democratic state with 50,000 and then 100,000 and 150,000 migrants a year? After a million, 1.5 million, one could close up shop. But we have not closed down. We built a fence, and at the same time, with concern for security needs, we are making a major investment in infrastructures.”

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In related comments, Netanyahu noted, “I would like to deliver a message to anyone who tries to attack our citizens. The equation is simple: Whoever tries to hurt us – we will hurt them. Israel will not tolerate any attempt to attack us. We will take determined action in order to prevent this. It must be understood – it is impossible to attack us without paying a very heavy price.”