Netanyahu: Israel has entered international political isolation

SadaNews - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged on Monday that Israel has entered international political isolation, stating, "We will face certain barriers in global trade, and we are in a very challenging world." He claimed that "Muslims who migrated to Europe have turned into a large minority and their voice is heard. This pressures the governments there on the Gaza issue, and they reject Zionism."

According to Netanyahu, who spoke during the General Accountant Conference at the Ministry of Finance in Jerusalem, "These minorities significantly influence the governments, and they do not deny that. They admit it in private conversations. This leads to many sanctions and restrictions on Israel, limiting our ability to import weaponry and threatening us with economic difficulties. This is a given, and it is very difficult to influence it."

Netanyahu accused the "digital revolution" of causing Israel's international isolation, claiming, "Our opponents exploit it. China and Qatar are investing substantial amounts in artificial intelligence. They have significant power. It is greater than traditional media. Traditional media also joins international minorities. This is leading us into isolation. We will have to fight against it."

He claimed that "we will increasingly have to adapt to a self-sufficient economy. This is a phrase I hate; I am a supporter of the free market, and I have worked to bring Israel into a free market revolution. However, we may find ourselves in a situation where our arms industries are banned. We will have to develop weapons manufacturing here. We will have to be both Athens and Sparta at the same time. We have no choice. We will have to confront these isolation attempts at least in the near years. What has succeeded so far will not succeed from now on."

During a ceremony hosting a delegation of American lawmakers in Israel, Netanyahu stated that "there is an effort to impose a siege on Israel. This is managed by the same powers that support Iran and its efforts to impose a military siege on us and suffocate us." He added that "this effort is led by two countries: China and Qatar, which are waging a legitimacy battle against Israel in the Western world and the United States."

For his part, opposition leader Yair Lapid considered that "Netanyahu's statement that Israel has entered isolation and must adapt to an isolation economy is insane. Isolation is not destiny; it is a result of Netanyahu's wrong and failed policies, which have turned Israel into a third-world country without even attempting to change the situation. Israel can be returned to being successful and impressive, with a thriving first-world economy."

The head of the Democratic Party, Yair Golan, stated that "Netanyahu 'congratulates' the citizens of Israel on the occasion of the Hebrew New Year: To maintain my position, I need eternal war and isolation. And you sacrifice the state, the economy, your children's future, and your relationships with the world. Our answer to this despicable man: This year, we will change you and save Israel."