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Netanyahu: Israel will not relinquish security control over Judea and Samaria

Netanyahu declared that Israel will maintain security control over the entire Judea and Samaria region, with or without a peace agreement with the Palestinians.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated Monday that Israel will maintain security control over the entire Judea and Samaria region, with or without a peace agreement with the Palestinians.

Speaking at a ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of the Six Day War at the armored corps memorial at Latrun, Netanyahu said Israel seeks “true peace” with its neighbors, but must ensure its own security.

“For that reason, in any agreement, and even without an agreement, we will maintain security control over the entire territory west of the Jordan River,” he said.

Israel defeated Egypt, Syria and Jordan in six days of fighting in June 1967, liberating Judea and Samaria and east Jerusalem from Jordanian occupation, the Gaza Strip and Sinai Peninsula from Egypt and the Golan Heights from Syria.

Taking a strong stance on Israel’s security, Netanyahu said that despite the close alliance with the US and the American military aid, the main lesson from the 1967 war is that Israel ultimately can rely only on itself for its defense.

“We will never place our fates in the hands of others,” he said. “We respect our allies, foremost our big friend the United States, whose support we greatly appreciate. But in the moment of truth, Israel must be prepared and capable to deliver a serious, even deadly blow to anyone who wants to harm it.”

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Relating to Israel’s astounding victory, Netanyahu said that “the wonderful, defensive war that we endured, the most just and moral war, afforded us a wealth of achievements. It proved to our enemies that we are not a nation of drifting sands.”

The IDF proved “that our roots are planted here forever. The war returned us to our land at whose heart is unified Jerusalem but above all, the Six Day War taught us a permanent lesson that is the headstone: Israel will defend itself in the face of every enemy, and against a cluster of enemies.”

By: Aryeh Savir, World Israel News