Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who turned 75 on Monday, received birthday greetings from French President Emmanuel Macron, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer, according to the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and five members of the U.S. Congress, all of whom met with Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Monday, extended in-person birthday wishes, according to Netanyahu’s office.
Macron and Mitsotakis also told Netanyahu that they “strongly condemn the attempt on his life,” per an Israeli readout of their call. “Former U.S. President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed their shock to the prime minister over the attack against him,” Netanyahu’s office added. “U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) also called the prime minister and issued a special condemnation.”
Netanyahu said on Saturday night that Hezbollah made a “grave mistake” attacking his home in Caesarea, in central Israel on the Mediterranean coast, with a drone.
“Thank you to the many who sent me birthday wishes. You warmed my heart,” Netanyahu stated on Monday.
The Israeli premier quoted remarks made 14 years ago by his father—historian and longtime professor Benzion Netanyahu—when the elder Netanyahu turned 100, which he said “are still true today.”
“I am much moved by the fact that you have gathered to express your well wishes on my birthday. You have said many fine things that stirred my heart. But since time is short, I will limit my remarks to one general comment: The existence of the Jewish people is put into question by the threats to annihilate us which are openly declared by our enemies,” Netanyahu said, quoting his father.
“On the one side, Iran vows that soon Zionism will be destroyed. On the other, the people of Israel are showing the world how a nation should behave when faced with an existential threat: stare unflinchingly at the danger, calmly consider what needs to be done and what can be done and be ready to enter the fray when the chances of success are reasonable,” he added. “A powerful stance requires tremendous inner strength. The people of Israel show today that they have such strength, and this leads to my certain belief that our people will roll back this danger to its existence.”
