A readout of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address at the start of the Security Cabinet meeting on Oct. 1 (translated from Hebrew):
“Citizens of Israel, at the start of my remarks, I send condolences to the families of those who were murdered in the abhorrent terrorist attack in Jaffa and my best wishes for a quick recovery to the wounded.
As in the missile attack, there was also a murderous guiding hand behind this terrorist attack—it came from Tehran.
This evening, Iran again attacked Israel with hundreds of missiles. This attack failed. It was thwarted thanks to Israel’s air-defense array, which is the most advanced in the world. I commend the IDF for the impressive achievement. It was also thwarted thanks to your alertness and responsibility, citizens of Israel. I also thank the US for its support in our defensive effort.
This evening, Iran made a big mistake—and it will pay for it. The regime in Tehran does not understand our determination to defend ourselves and to exact a price from our enemies.
[Yahya] Sinwar and [Mohammed] Deif did not understand this; neither did Nasrallah or Mohsen. Apparently, there are those in Tehran who do not understand this either.
They will.
We will keep to the rule we have determined: Whoever attacks us, we attack them.
This is true wherever we fight the axis of evil. It is true in Judea and Samaria. It is true in Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen and Syria—and it is also true in Iran. We are fighting the axis of evil everywhere, including in southern Lebanon and Gaza, where our heroic soldiers are active.
Today, more than ever, the forces of light in the world must unite and work together against the ayatollah’s dark regime, which is the source of terror and evil in our region. They must stand alongside Israel. The choice has never been more clear, between tyranny and freedom, between the blessing and the curse.
On the eve of Rosh Hashanah, I say to you, citizens of Israel: Israel has the momentum and the axis of evil is in retreat. We will do whatever needs to be done to continue this trend. To achieve all of our war objectives, especially the return of all of our hostages, and ensure our existence and our future.
A good and safe year to you all.”
