05.02.2025 08:12
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu began the joint press conference with U.S. President Trump by praising him, saying, "You are Israel's greatest friend in the White House." When asked about Trump's comment, "We will take over Gaza," Netanyahu responded, "President Trump is taking this to a much higher level. He envisions a different future for that piece of land." The Israeli Prime Minister also stated that they have three main objectives in Gaza.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke at a joint press conference with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House.
Netanyahu praised Trump by saying, "You are the greatest friend Israel has ever had in the White House," recalling Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, the relocation of the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem, and his support for Israel's annexation of the Golan Heights during Trump's first presidential term.
"CAN YOU IMAGINE WHERE WE WILL BE IN 4 YEARS?" Netanyahu referred to Trump's influence on the recent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, mentioning the withdrawal of U.S. support from United Nations organizations providing humanitarian aid to Palestinians immediately after taking office, saying, "Ladies and gentlemen, all of this happened in just two weeks. Can you imagine where we will be in four years? I can."
Noting that the Bible states, "the people of Israel will rise like lions," Netanyahu said, "And we have risen today; the roar of the Lion of Judah is heard loud and clear in the Middle East. Israel has never been this strong."
"ISRAEL HAS 3 GOALS IN GAZA" Netanyahu asserted that Israel has three goals in Gaza, which are "to destroy Hamas's military and governance capabilities, to ensure the release of all hostages, and to make sure that Gaza never poses a threat to Israel again." Netanyahu stated, "Mr. President, as we discussed, we must finish the job in Gaza to secure our future and bring peace to our region."
"PRESIDENT TRUMP IS TAKING IT TO A MUCH HIGHER LEVEL" When asked by reporters what he thought about Trump's statements regarding "the U.S. taking over the Gaza Strip" and "the relocation of Gazans to another place," Netanyahu responded, "President Trump is taking this to a much higher level. He sees a different future for that piece of land." Netanyahu expressed that Trump is "saying things that others have rejected," adding, "He has a different idea, and I think it's worth paying attention to. We are talking about this (Gaza). He is researching it with his people, his team. I think this is something that could change history, and it's really worth following this path."
Netanyahu stated that Trump is willing to break traditional thinking that has failed repeatedly, saying, "Being willing to think outside the box and generate new ideas will help us achieve all these goals." U.S. President Trump had stated at the same press conference that the U.S. would take over the Gaza Strip and would be responsible for the removal of unexploded bombs and other weapons, as well as the clearing of destroyed buildings.
Trump noted that Gaza is now a completely devastated area of massive destruction, arguing that it would be much better for Palestinians in Gaza to go to new settlements to be built in neighboring countries, primarily Egypt and Jordan.
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