Netanyahu: My gov't brought security back to Israel

In Knesset address, PM says "anyone who underestimates the threat a nuclear Iran poses to Israel is not worthy to be PM."

By JPOST.COM STAFF
netanyahu knesset_311 (photo credit: Marc Israel Sellem)
netanyahu knesset_311
(photo credit: Marc Israel Sellem)
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu addressed the opening of the winter session of the 18th Knesset on Monday, officially asking to advance elections to January 22, 2013 and making the case that he was the only person who could lead the country going forward. Netanyahu spoke before the MKs were scheduled to vote to dissolve the Knesset ahead of early elections.
Netanyahu compared the situation when he took over as prime minister in 2009  to the situation the country finds itself in today. He described himself as a leader that had "brought security back to Israel's citizens," saying that when he took over in 2009, "thousands of missiles were being fired on the South."
He added that two years earlier, missiles were being fired from Lebanon on the North, saying that the previous government displayed "negligence" toward Israel's security.
The prime minister attacked his rivals, saying that "anyone who underestimates the threat that a nuclear Iran poses to Israel is not worthy to be prime minister even one day."
Netanyahu also touted his success in stopping the flow of migrants from Africa from entering Israel through Egypt. He stated that in 2009 thousands of "infiltrators entered Israel," whereas only 23 had entered this month due to the construction of the security fence on the Egypt border.
The prime minister also touted his navigation of the world financial crisis as prime minister, saying that he managed to raise growth and decrease unemployment.
Netanyahu also cited the return of Gilad Schalit from Hamas captivity as one of his government's successes.
In an apparent dig at former prime minister Ehud Olmert, Netanyahu said that he had not brought the country into "unnecessary wars."