Netanyahu hints at Syrian strike: 'IDF fighting Iran, Hezbollah in North'

His words came just hours after Syria accused Israel of attacking a Syrian Army position in Tel Bariqa west of Quneitra on the Syrian Golan Heights on Thursday afternoon.

By HERB KEINON, JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the state memorial event honoring Ze'ev Jabotinsky (photo credit: KOBI GIDEON/GPO)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the state memorial event honoring Ze'ev Jabotinsky
(photo credit: KOBI GIDEON/GPO)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu alluded to the attack in Syria across the Golan border at a memorial ceremony for Revisionist Zionist leader Ze'ev Jabotinsky on Mount Herzl.
After saying that Israel “defends itself all the time,” and sending his good wishes to the IDF soldiers injured early Thursday morning when the IDF killed a terrorist who infiltrated from Gaza, Netanyahu turned to the North.
“On the northern front, we are working against Iran and Hezbollah and you are hearing about it these days,” he said.
“This is the iron wall,” he said, referring to Jabotinsky’s famous 1923 essay – “The Iron Wall” – in which Jabotinsky argued that the Arabs would only accept a Jewish presence in what is today Israel if they realize that they cannot defeat the Jews.
Syria had accused Israel of attacking a Syrian Army position in Tel Bariqa west of Quneitra on the Syrian Golan Heights on Thursday afternoon.
Netanyahu later commemorated the Zionist leader Jabotinsky on Twitter.
"Jabotinsky preached about the building of the land," he wrote. "The other day I visited Rishon Lezion, yesterday I visited Gush Etzion. There, as everywhere in the country, you see flourishing settlements, buildings, roads, cranes. We are developing the country non-stop.
"Jabotinsky spoke about the importance of immigration as a key to the redemption of the people. During his time, the gates of the land were locked to free immigration. See, in comparison, the hundreds of immigrants who landed here in recent days - from Ukraine, the United States, Canada, and other countries. They understand that Israel is a real home, a warm home - their home. Their future is here.
"Jabotinsky stated another principle: to put an iron wall in front of our souls. We systematically cultivate the iron wall of Israel - our military, intelligence and technological strength, both in defense and in attack.
"May the memory of Ze'ev Jabotinsky be blessed and always in our hearts."