Rosh Hashanah: Benjamin Netanyahu uses Jewish New Year address to slam 'bigoted and prejudiced' critics
He praised Israel as a "beacon of progress" in the Middle East
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has used a message marking Jewish New Year to hit back against the state's critics, whom he described as “bigoted and prejudiced”.
In the minute-long clip, Mr Netanyahu wished viewers Shanah Tovah, the greeting used during Rosh Hashanah, before bashing the state’s critics in a strongly-worded address.
Mr Netanyahu said the surrounding region as “plagued by fanaticism, by terror and unbelievable savagery”.
Describing Israel as a “beacon of progress” in modernity, democracy and human rights, the Prime Minister said these facts were evident to “to all but the most bigoted and prejudiced”.
Without naming specific groups or nations, Mr Netanyahu said that Israel must “repel […] slanders”.
“We do that together as we build our state because we’re untied, proud of our past, confident in our future.”
Read more:
Israeli football fans wave banner reading 'Refugees Not Welcome'
Israeli security forces clash with Palestinians at al-Aqsa mosque
Israel 'knows who burned Palestinian family alive – but is hiding them'
Mr Netanyahu then asked viewers to “join with all Israelis, with all friends of Israel and Jewish people everywhere in wishing for a better future for the world, for the middle east, and most importantly for the one and only Jewish state”.
While it is unclear who Mr Netanyahu was aiming his attack towards, it comes as previously robust relations with the US have frayed following a deal nuclear deal with Israel’s enemy, Iran.
Israel is strongly opposed to the Iranian nuclear deal, which will see international oil and financial sanctions lifted in return for Iran compromising on its ability to enrich uranium.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments