Statement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this evening (Wednesday, 8 April 2026) [translated from Hebrew]:
"Citizens of Israel, I want to thank you, our wonderful nation.
While you demonstrated resilience sitting in the secure rooms and shelters, together we achieved immense accomplishments: Our fighters at the front and you on the home front.
But before all else, I wish to bow my head in memory of our loved ones who fell in this campaign.
I wish to embrace the bereaved families and, on behalf of all of you, send wishes for a speedy recovery to our wounded loved ones.
My brothers and sisters, the State of Israel has achieved immense accomplishments, achievements that until recently seemed completely imaginary.
Iran is weaker than ever, and Israel is stronger than ever. This is the bottom line of this campaign, up to this moment.
And I wish to clarify: We still have goals to complete, and we will achieve them either by agreement or by the resumption of fighting.
We are prepared to return to combat at any necessary moment. Our finger is on the trigger.
As you know, a two-week temporary ceasefire between the United States and Iran went into effect tonight, in full coordination with Israel. No, they did not surprise us at the last minute. Now, I want to emphasize, this is not the end of the campaign. This is a way station on the way to achieving all of our goals.
Iran enters negotiations battered and weaker than ever. It has committed to opening the Strait of Hormuz after waiving all of its preconditions.
It waived the cancellation of sanctions, receiving reparations, a final end to the war, and also a ceasefire in Lebanon.
While Iran is weaker than ever, Israel is as strong as it has ever been.
Six weeks ago, for the first time in history, we went to war shoulder-to-shoulder with my friend President Trump and our great ally, the United States.
We set out on a historic operation, the largest operation the Middle East has ever known. Nothing like this has ever happened in the history of Israel.
A partnership like this between Israel and the US against our greatest enemy has also never existed in Israel's history. And yes, I can reassure those worried about the relationship between myself and President Trump. As he said: 'You are great.' We speak every day, and we smile when we hear these assessments.
In any case, anyone who chooses to ignore the power of this partnership is simply ignoring the truth.
As US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said today, the appreciation for Israel as an ally on the battlefield, appreciation for our heroism, courage and skill, this appreciation is soaring.
President Trump, Donald my friend, I want to thank you for your leadership and your friendship. The deep friendship between us, the deep friendship between the US and Israel, is changing the face of the Middle East.
We went out together to remove an existential threat from over the State of Israel and the entire free world, and we are carrying out that mission. We are carrying it out it step by step, goal after goal.
If we hadn't set out on Operation Rising Lion, and then if we hadn't set out on Operation Roaring Lion, Iran would have long ago had nuclear weapons, and Iran would have had many thousands of missiles to destroy Israel and threaten the existence of us all.
We have removed this double existential threat from over our heads. We have set the terrorist regime in Iran back many years. We have shaken its foundations. We have crushed it.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this evening (Wednesday, 8 April 2026) [translated from Hebrew]:
"Citizens of Israel, I want to thank you, our wonderful nation.
While you demonstrated resilience sitting in the secure rooms and shelters, together we achieved immense accomplishments: Our fighters at the front and you on the home front.
But before all else, I wish to bow my head in memory of our loved ones who fell in this campaign.
I wish to embrace the bereaved families and, on behalf of all of you, send wishes for a speedy recovery to our wounded loved ones.
My brothers and sisters, the State of Israel has achieved immense accomplishments, achievements that until recently seemed completely imaginary.
Iran is weaker than ever, and Israel is stronger than ever. This is the bottom line of this campaign, up to this moment.
And I wish to clarify: We still have goals to complete, and we will achieve them either by agreement or by the resumption of fighting.
We are prepared to return to combat at any necessary moment. Our finger is on the trigger.
As you know, a two-week temporary ceasefire between the United States and Iran went into effect tonight, in full coordination with Israel. No, they did not surprise us at the last minute. Now, I want to emphasize, this is not the end of the campaign. This is a way station on the way to achieving all of our goals.
Iran enters negotiations battered and weaker than ever. It has committed to opening the Strait of Hormuz after waiving all of its preconditions.
It waived the cancellation of sanctions, receiving reparations, a final end to the war, and also a ceasefire in Lebanon.
While Iran is weaker than ever, Israel is as strong as it has ever been.
Six weeks ago, for the first time in history, we went to war shoulder-to-shoulder with my friend President Trump and our great ally, the United States.
We set out on a historic operation, the largest operation the Middle East has ever known. Nothing like this has ever happened in the history of Israel.
A partnership like this between Israel and the US against our greatest enemy has also never existed in Israel's history. And yes, I can reassure those worried about the relationship between myself and President Trump. As he said: 'You are great.' We speak every day, and we smile when we hear these assessments.
In any case, anyone who chooses to ignore the power of this partnership is simply ignoring the truth.
As US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said today, the appreciation for Israel as an ally on the battlefield, appreciation for our heroism, courage and skill, this appreciation is soaring.
President Trump, Donald my friend, I want to thank you for your leadership and your friendship. The deep friendship between us, the deep friendship between the US and Israel, is changing the face of the Middle East.
We went out together to remove an existential threat from over the State of Israel and the entire free world, and we are carrying out that mission. We are carrying it out it step by step, goal after goal.
If we hadn't set out on Operation Rising Lion, and then if we hadn't set out on Operation Roaring Lion, Iran would have long ago had nuclear weapons, and Iran would have had many thousands of missiles to destroy Israel and threaten the existence of us all.
We have removed this double existential threat from over our heads. We have set the terrorist regime in Iran back many years. We have shaken its foundations. We have crushed it.
What we have achieved up to now:
We smashed Iran's missile production machine. Not only did we destroy existing missiles, we destroyed the factories that produce them. The Iranians are firing what is left in their arsenal, and the arsenal is emptying out. But they are not producing new missiles.
We have severely damaged Iran's nuclear program. We destroyed many nuclear infrastructures, centrifuge plants, and one more thing, we eliminated more nuclear scientists who joined those we eliminated in Operation Rising Lion.
Regarding the enriched material still remaining in Iran: As senior Trump administration officials said today, all the enriched material will leave Iran. Either it will leave by agreement, or it will leave by the resumption of fighting. We see eye-to-eye on this matter.
We have smashed the money machine and the weapon production machine of the Revolutionary Guards. We destroyed steel plants, petrochemical plants, weapon manufacturing plants, bridges, and railways for the transport of forces and weapons.
We have destroyed military infrastructure: The Iranian Navy, dozens of aircraft, missile bases, and headquarters.
We have severely damaged the regime’s mechanism of oppression. We eliminated thousands of its operatives and proved that we can hunt them down anywhere. They have nowhere to hide.
We eliminated senior regime officials, from the tyrant Khamenei to the top brass of the Revolutionary Guards and the Basij.
As a result of Israel's determination and strength, strength and determination that everyone in the Middle East sees, we are creating new alliances with countries in the region.
I insisted that the temporary ceasefire with Iran not include Hezbollah. And we continue to strike them forcefully.
Today we dealt Hezbollah the greatest blow it has suffered since the pagers. We attacked 100 targets in 10 minutes, in places Hezbollah was certain were immune.
Wonderful residents of the North, we are committed to returning security to you.
We have created deep security zones beyond our borders, in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza, where we control more than half of the Strip and are choking Hamas from every side.
Citizens of Israel, anyone who tries to ignore these monumental achievements, monumental achievements of the State of Israel and IDF soldiers; anyone who tries to diminish them, either they do not know what they are talking about, or they are speaking out of foreign interests.
Because the truth is simple: As I promised you at the beginning of the War of Redemption, we have dramatically changed the face of the Middle East in Israel's favor, and we will continue to do so.
Because we are the side that takes the initiative, we are the side that fights, and with G-d's help, we are the side that wins.
Happy Maimouna holiday (https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/maimouna-a-post-passover-celebration/), citizens of Israel, a holiday of Israeli unity. May you prosper and find favor."
We smashed Iran's missile production machine. Not only did we destroy existing missiles, we destroyed the factories that produce them. The Iranians are firing what is left in their arsenal, and the arsenal is emptying out. But they are not producing new missiles.
We have severely damaged Iran's nuclear program. We destroyed many nuclear infrastructures, centrifuge plants, and one more thing, we eliminated more nuclear scientists who joined those we eliminated in Operation Rising Lion.
Regarding the enriched material still remaining in Iran: As senior Trump administration officials said today, all the enriched material will leave Iran. Either it will leave by agreement, or it will leave by the resumption of fighting. We see eye-to-eye on this matter.
We have smashed the money machine and the weapon production machine of the Revolutionary Guards. We destroyed steel plants, petrochemical plants, weapon manufacturing plants, bridges, and railways for the transport of forces and weapons.
We have destroyed military infrastructure: The Iranian Navy, dozens of aircraft, missile bases, and headquarters.
We have severely damaged the regime’s mechanism of oppression. We eliminated thousands of its operatives and proved that we can hunt them down anywhere. They have nowhere to hide.
We eliminated senior regime officials, from the tyrant Khamenei to the top brass of the Revolutionary Guards and the Basij.
As a result of Israel's determination and strength, strength and determination that everyone in the Middle East sees, we are creating new alliances with countries in the region.
I insisted that the temporary ceasefire with Iran not include Hezbollah. And we continue to strike them forcefully.
Today we dealt Hezbollah the greatest blow it has suffered since the pagers. We attacked 100 targets in 10 minutes, in places Hezbollah was certain were immune.
Wonderful residents of the North, we are committed to returning security to you.
We have created deep security zones beyond our borders, in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza, where we control more than half of the Strip and are choking Hamas from every side.
Citizens of Israel, anyone who tries to ignore these monumental achievements, monumental achievements of the State of Israel and IDF soldiers; anyone who tries to diminish them, either they do not know what they are talking about, or they are speaking out of foreign interests.
Because the truth is simple: As I promised you at the beginning of the War of Redemption, we have dramatically changed the face of the Middle East in Israel's favor, and we will continue to do so.
Because we are the side that takes the initiative, we are the side that fights, and with G-d's help, we are the side that wins.
Happy Maimouna holiday (https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/maimouna-a-post-passover-celebration/), citizens of Israel, a holiday of Israeli unity. May you prosper and find favor."
Statement by Prime Minister Netanyahu
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu [translated from Hebrew]:
"In light of Lebanon's repeated requests to open direct negotiations with Israel, I instructed at the Government meeting yesterday to open direct negotiations with Lebanon as soon as possible.
The negotiations will focus on the disarmament of Hezbollah and the establishing of peaceful relations between Israel and Lebanon.
Israel appreciates the call made today by the Prime Minister of Lebanon to demilitarize Beirut."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu [translated from Hebrew]:
"In light of Lebanon's repeated requests to open direct negotiations with Israel, I instructed at the Government meeting yesterday to open direct negotiations with Lebanon as soon as possible.
The negotiations will focus on the disarmament of Hezbollah and the establishing of peaceful relations between Israel and Lebanon.
Israel appreciates the call made today by the Prime Minister of Lebanon to demilitarize Beirut."
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Statement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this evening (Thursday, 9 April 2026) [translated from Hebrew]:
"Dear residents of the North, I am proud of you. You continue to stand firm.
I wish to inform you: There is no ceasefire in Lebanon. We are continuing to strike Hezbollah with full force, and we will not stop until we restore your security.
Our great achievements, both in Iran and against the Axis of Evil, have brought about a historic shift in Israel’s standing in the region. They have also led to a change in our ties with countries we did not have relations with in the past.
Following repeated requests from the Lebanese government to open peace negotiations with us, last night I instructed the Cabinet to begin direct negotiations with Lebanon to achieve two goals: First, the disarming of Hezbollah. Second, a historic, sustainable peace agreement between Israel and Lebanon.
Israel is stronger than ever; Iran is weaker than ever.
I have already brought four peace agreements with Arab nations, and I intend to bring more – true peace, peace through strength."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this evening (Thursday, 9 April 2026) [translated from Hebrew]:
"Dear residents of the North, I am proud of you. You continue to stand firm.
I wish to inform you: There is no ceasefire in Lebanon. We are continuing to strike Hezbollah with full force, and we will not stop until we restore your security.
Our great achievements, both in Iran and against the Axis of Evil, have brought about a historic shift in Israel’s standing in the region. They have also led to a change in our ties with countries we did not have relations with in the past.
Following repeated requests from the Lebanese government to open peace negotiations with us, last night I instructed the Cabinet to begin direct negotiations with Lebanon to achieve two goals: First, the disarming of Hezbollah. Second, a historic, sustainable peace agreement between Israel and Lebanon.
Israel is stronger than ever; Iran is weaker than ever.
I have already brought four peace agreements with Arab nations, and I intend to bring more – true peace, peace through strength."
Yad Vashem: Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Day, 13-14 April 2026
Central Theme for Holocaust Remembrance Day: "The Jewish Family During the Holocaust"
Please see the attached Word file
Central Theme for Holocaust Remembrance Day: "The Jewish Family During the Holocaust"
Please see the attached Word file
Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism Special Report on Operation Roaring Lion: Growing gap between Republican Party leadership, which supports the campaign against Iran, and a populist-isolationist camp in the US, which is spreading anti-war, anti-Israel, and antisemitic messages.
The Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism, today (Thursday, 9 April 2026), released a special report that examines American public sentiment regarding the war against Iran (https://www.gov.il/en/pages/epic-fury-us-public-sentiment-analysis-2026-03). The report analyzes its potential impact on the US political system, anti-Israel discourse, and the safety of Jewish communities.
While support for the campaign remains high among the Republican public, an anti-war discourse identified with isolationist currents on the American right, primarily "America First" and "America Only", is intensifying. This discourse does not stop at opposing military involvement; it frequently devolves into narratives such as: "Israel First", "Dying for Israel" and accusations of Israeli or Jewish "control" over US foreign policy.
According to the report (which covers the period up to April 1, 2026), online discourse reflects a sharp polarization: Establishment Leadership, Republican leaders, political officials, and mainstream conservative commentators frame the campaign as an essential necessity to curb the Iranian threat, ensure regional deterrence, and protect US allies. However, prominent figures in the populist and anti-establishment sphere frame the war as a violation of the "no more wars" promise, claiming it fails to serve American interests.
The report highlights a significant surge in anti-war messaging on social media, particularly on X (formerly Twitter). These messages are often accompanied by antisemitic tropes and conspiracy theories against Israel including thousands of mentions of terms like "Neocon", “America First” and "Dying for Israel” which attempt to link the war to domestic US political conspiracies.
According to the report, it also appears that while the majority of Republicans currently support action against Iran, this support is not unlimited. As the campaign lengthens, expands, or leads to significant economic costs, the rifts within the Republican camp may deepen, and voices opposing American involvement may grow stronger.
The Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism emphasizes that these trends may have direct implications not only for Israel-US relations, but also for the level of risk faced by Jewish and Israeli communities in the United States.
Past experience shows that when anti-Israel narratives are combined with accusations of "dual loyalty," "Jewish control," or "wars for Israel," the path to an increase in antisemitic incidents is particularly short.
Amichai Chikli, Minister of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism:
"The picture emerging from the report is concerning: alongside significant American support for the war against the Iranian terror regime, a discourse is expanding in the U.S. that attempts to present Israel as acting manipulatively, as if it dragged the U.S. into war. This is a dangerous discourse that often devolves from political and diplomatic criticism into conspiratorial rhetoric with a sharp antisemitic aroma. Our role is to identify these trends in time, alert people to them, and act together with our partners to understand deep-seated trends and know how to prepare and respond to them."
The Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism, today (Thursday, 9 April 2026), released a special report that examines American public sentiment regarding the war against Iran (https://www.gov.il/en/pages/epic-fury-us-public-sentiment-analysis-2026-03). The report analyzes its potential impact on the US political system, anti-Israel discourse, and the safety of Jewish communities.
While support for the campaign remains high among the Republican public, an anti-war discourse identified with isolationist currents on the American right, primarily "America First" and "America Only", is intensifying. This discourse does not stop at opposing military involvement; it frequently devolves into narratives such as: "Israel First", "Dying for Israel" and accusations of Israeli or Jewish "control" over US foreign policy.
According to the report (which covers the period up to April 1, 2026), online discourse reflects a sharp polarization: Establishment Leadership, Republican leaders, political officials, and mainstream conservative commentators frame the campaign as an essential necessity to curb the Iranian threat, ensure regional deterrence, and protect US allies. However, prominent figures in the populist and anti-establishment sphere frame the war as a violation of the "no more wars" promise, claiming it fails to serve American interests.
The report highlights a significant surge in anti-war messaging on social media, particularly on X (formerly Twitter). These messages are often accompanied by antisemitic tropes and conspiracy theories against Israel including thousands of mentions of terms like "Neocon", “America First” and "Dying for Israel” which attempt to link the war to domestic US political conspiracies.
According to the report, it also appears that while the majority of Republicans currently support action against Iran, this support is not unlimited. As the campaign lengthens, expands, or leads to significant economic costs, the rifts within the Republican camp may deepen, and voices opposing American involvement may grow stronger.
The Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism emphasizes that these trends may have direct implications not only for Israel-US relations, but also for the level of risk faced by Jewish and Israeli communities in the United States.
Past experience shows that when anti-Israel narratives are combined with accusations of "dual loyalty," "Jewish control," or "wars for Israel," the path to an increase in antisemitic incidents is particularly short.
Amichai Chikli, Minister of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism:
"The picture emerging from the report is concerning: alongside significant American support for the war against the Iranian terror regime, a discourse is expanding in the U.S. that attempts to present Israel as acting manipulatively, as if it dragged the U.S. into war. This is a dangerous discourse that often devolves from political and diplomatic criticism into conspiratorial rhetoric with a sharp antisemitic aroma. Our role is to identify these trends in time, alert people to them, and act together with our partners to understand deep-seated trends and know how to prepare and respond to them."
Avi Cohen-Scali, Director General of the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism:
"The report emphasizes how much the perceptual arena in the U.S. affects reality on the ground. We identify an increasingly tightening connection between internal political debate in the U.S. and the dissemination of anti-Israel and antisemitic messages online. The National Command Center of the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism continues to monitor developments, analyze the discourse in real-time, and provide updated assessments to relevant parties in Israel and around the world."
The Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism notes that heading into this coming November and the U.S. midterm elections, the issue is expected to continue shaping the political discourse on the American Right. They emphasize the need for continued close monitoring of the evolution of narratives, their impact on public opinion, and the potential implications for Israel and American Jewry.
Executive Summary of the Research
The report analyzes Republican positions toward the war with Iran as of March 2026 and assesses how internal U.S. political divisions may influence the conflict's progression. A summary of recent U.S. public opinion polls indicates that approximately half of Americans oppose the war, about a third support it, and a large portion of the public remains uncertain. Opposition to the strikes is most notable among Democrats and Independents, while Republican voters largely support the war. The vast majority of the American public opposes the deployment of U.S. ground troops.
The report reveals rifts within the Republican Party. A stream identified with the "America First" isolationist approach argues that the strikes contradict the anti-war rhetoric of previous campaigns and risk dragging the U.S. into another prolonged Middle Eastern conflict, leading to high economic costs that harm domestic interests. Some actors in this camp also disseminate "Israel First" narratives, alongside messages such as "Dying for Israel," which frame the war as serving Israeli or foreign interests at the expense of American interests. In some cases, these narratives are accompanied by antisemitic claims regarding disproportionate Jewish or Israeli influence over U.S. foreign policy.
In contrast, the Republican Party leadership, prominent figures in conservative media, and pro-Trump influencers justify the intervention, presenting it as a necessary deterrent against Iran's nuclear ambitions and regional activities. These divisions can be understood through three primary ideological layers on the American Right:
The MAGA Camp (Make America Great Again): More closely identified with support for assertive foreign policy and maintaining the alliance with Israel.
The "America First" Stream: Expresses a populist, anti-establishment view emphasizing domestic priorities and opposition to prolonged military involvement.
The "America Only" Stream: Represents a more radical isolationist approach, sometimes incorporating white nationalist, conspiratorial, and antisemitic rhetoric.
Across all these streams, online influencers and alternative media networks play a central role in shaping the discourse, particularly among younger audiences, by amplifying anti-war messages and framing the conflict as inconsistent with American interests.
Current polls and political discourse indicate that Republican support for the war remains strong but may be conditional. While voters identified with MAGA and party leadership largely support the campaign, rifts in conservative media and among parts of the Republican leadership suggest that support could weaken if the conflict becomes prolonged, expands operationally, or incurs sustained economic costs.
Media Contact:
Roni Niv, Head of Communications & Spokesperson; Diaspora Affairs and Combatting Antisemitism Ministry: 050-2221862 & dover@pmo.gov.il
"The report emphasizes how much the perceptual arena in the U.S. affects reality on the ground. We identify an increasingly tightening connection between internal political debate in the U.S. and the dissemination of anti-Israel and antisemitic messages online. The National Command Center of the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism continues to monitor developments, analyze the discourse in real-time, and provide updated assessments to relevant parties in Israel and around the world."
The Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism notes that heading into this coming November and the U.S. midterm elections, the issue is expected to continue shaping the political discourse on the American Right. They emphasize the need for continued close monitoring of the evolution of narratives, their impact on public opinion, and the potential implications for Israel and American Jewry.
Executive Summary of the Research
The report analyzes Republican positions toward the war with Iran as of March 2026 and assesses how internal U.S. political divisions may influence the conflict's progression. A summary of recent U.S. public opinion polls indicates that approximately half of Americans oppose the war, about a third support it, and a large portion of the public remains uncertain. Opposition to the strikes is most notable among Democrats and Independents, while Republican voters largely support the war. The vast majority of the American public opposes the deployment of U.S. ground troops.
The report reveals rifts within the Republican Party. A stream identified with the "America First" isolationist approach argues that the strikes contradict the anti-war rhetoric of previous campaigns and risk dragging the U.S. into another prolonged Middle Eastern conflict, leading to high economic costs that harm domestic interests. Some actors in this camp also disseminate "Israel First" narratives, alongside messages such as "Dying for Israel," which frame the war as serving Israeli or foreign interests at the expense of American interests. In some cases, these narratives are accompanied by antisemitic claims regarding disproportionate Jewish or Israeli influence over U.S. foreign policy.
In contrast, the Republican Party leadership, prominent figures in conservative media, and pro-Trump influencers justify the intervention, presenting it as a necessary deterrent against Iran's nuclear ambitions and regional activities. These divisions can be understood through three primary ideological layers on the American Right:
The MAGA Camp (Make America Great Again): More closely identified with support for assertive foreign policy and maintaining the alliance with Israel.
The "America First" Stream: Expresses a populist, anti-establishment view emphasizing domestic priorities and opposition to prolonged military involvement.
The "America Only" Stream: Represents a more radical isolationist approach, sometimes incorporating white nationalist, conspiratorial, and antisemitic rhetoric.
Across all these streams, online influencers and alternative media networks play a central role in shaping the discourse, particularly among younger audiences, by amplifying anti-war messages and framing the conflict as inconsistent with American interests.
Current polls and political discourse indicate that Republican support for the war remains strong but may be conditional. While voters identified with MAGA and party leadership largely support the campaign, rifts in conservative media and among parts of the Republican leadership suggest that support could weaken if the conflict becomes prolonged, expands operationally, or incurs sustained economic costs.
Media Contact:
Roni Niv, Head of Communications & Spokesperson; Diaspora Affairs and Combatting Antisemitism Ministry: 050-2221862 & dover@pmo.gov.il
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Statement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this afternoon (Friday, 10 April 2026) [translated from Hebrew]:
“Israel will not remain silent in the face of those who attack us.
Spain has defamed our heroes, the soldiers of the IDF, the soldiers of the most moral army in the world.
Therefore, I have instructed today to remove Spain's representatives from the coordination center in Kiryat Gat, after Spain has chosen repeatedly to stand against Israel.
Those who attack the State of Israel instead of terrorist regimes will not be our partners regarding the future of the region.
I am not willing to tolerate this hypocrisy and hostility. I do not intend to allow any country to wage a diplomatic war against us without paying an immediate price.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this afternoon (Friday, 10 April 2026) [translated from Hebrew]:
“Israel will not remain silent in the face of those who attack us.
Spain has defamed our heroes, the soldiers of the IDF, the soldiers of the most moral army in the world.
Therefore, I have instructed today to remove Spain's representatives from the coordination center in Kiryat Gat, after Spain has chosen repeatedly to stand against Israel.
Those who attack the State of Israel instead of terrorist regimes will not be our partners regarding the future of the region.
I am not willing to tolerate this hypocrisy and hostility. I do not intend to allow any country to wage a diplomatic war against us without paying an immediate price.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Issue Statement at 21:00
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will, this evening (Saturday, 11 April 2026), at 21:00, issue a statement to the media.
The statement will be sent to networks via Contact.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will, this evening (Saturday, 11 April 2026), at 21:00, issue a statement to the media.
The statement will be sent to networks via Contact.
Jerusalem of Light: The Holy City Marks the Holy Fire Ceremony
Mayor Moshe Lion: We have returned to routine, and with it the sacred ceremonies of our three religions; I extend my blessings to the Christian communities on the occasion of Easter
The light emerges from Jerusalem: Approximately 10,000 worshippers participated today (Saturday, 11.04) in the traditional Holy Fire ceremony in the Old City of Jerusalem. As every year, the flame emerged from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Old City of the capital, and emissaries carry it to Nazareth, Bethlehem, and other cities in Israel and around the world.
The ceremony is held by the Eastern Churches (including the Greek Orthodox, Russian, Armenian, Coptic, and Syriac Churches) and constitutes part of Holy Week, during which Easter is celebrated. Believers from countries across the world attend the event.
In preparation for the event, the Jerusalem Municipality, together with the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Interior, prepared to provide tourist and safety infrastructure for participants, ensuring a meaningful experience without disruption while maintaining their safety. Ahead of the event, the municipality installed screens in various locations throughout the Old City, broadcasting the ceremony live for those unable to enter the church due to space limitations.
Mayor of Jerusalem, Moshe Lion: “I would like to extend my blessings to the Christian communities in Jerusalem and to its visitors on the occasion of Easter. After a challenging period in the country, we have returned to routine, including the sacred ceremonies of the three religions living side by side in the city. Jerusalem will continue to be a beacon of tolerance for Christians, Jews, and Muslims.”
Attached photo credit: Studio Sami
Mayor Moshe Lion: We have returned to routine, and with it the sacred ceremonies of our three religions; I extend my blessings to the Christian communities on the occasion of Easter
The light emerges from Jerusalem: Approximately 10,000 worshippers participated today (Saturday, 11.04) in the traditional Holy Fire ceremony in the Old City of Jerusalem. As every year, the flame emerged from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Old City of the capital, and emissaries carry it to Nazareth, Bethlehem, and other cities in Israel and around the world.
The ceremony is held by the Eastern Churches (including the Greek Orthodox, Russian, Armenian, Coptic, and Syriac Churches) and constitutes part of Holy Week, during which Easter is celebrated. Believers from countries across the world attend the event.
In preparation for the event, the Jerusalem Municipality, together with the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Interior, prepared to provide tourist and safety infrastructure for participants, ensuring a meaningful experience without disruption while maintaining their safety. Ahead of the event, the municipality installed screens in various locations throughout the Old City, broadcasting the ceremony live for those unable to enter the church due to space limitations.
Mayor of Jerusalem, Moshe Lion: “I would like to extend my blessings to the Christian communities in Jerusalem and to its visitors on the occasion of Easter. After a challenging period in the country, we have returned to routine, including the sacred ceremonies of the three religions living side by side in the city. Jerusalem will continue to be a beacon of tolerance for Christians, Jews, and Muslims.”
Attached photo credit: Studio Sami
Statement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this evening (Saturday, 11 April 2026) [translated from Hebrew]:
"Dear citizens of Israel, my brothers and sisters, the campaign is not yet over, but even now it can be clearly stated – we have achieved historic accomplishments.
I want you to remember where we were: Iran tried to squeeze us in a stranglehold; Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Assad regime in Syria, the militias in Iraq, the Houthis in Yemen, Iran itself. That is to say, they wanted to choke us, and we are choking them. They threatened us with destruction, and now they are fighting to survive. We struck them. We still have more to do, and I will detail that shortly, but I want to start specifically with Iran itself, specifically with the head of the octopus, because I have dedicated a significant portion of my life to preventing one thing, that this regime of terror achieves nuclear weapons, through which it seeks to annihilate the Jewish state and bring an end to Jewish history.
I spoke about this in Congress, at the UN, and in various parliaments. I authorized all sorts of operations, most of them covert, to delay them, and indeed we delayed them, but the world, the world did not listen. Many said – 'It's not that bad', 'It's not even that bad for Iran to have nuclear weapons.' I heard these voices not only from the outside, I heard them even among us. And I, as the Prime Minister of Israel, the head of the one and only Jewish state, could not accept that. And the great change occurred on that evening of Operation Rising Lion when I announced to you that our daring pilots were flying in the skies of Iran, flying in the skies of Iran and striking targets across all of Iran, we were the first to break the barrier of fear, the fear of acting within Iran itself. I remember my feeling, what excitement, what pride. Chills. And I know that you all experienced it too.
We were the first to act because we knew what was at stake. But if I had told you a year ago that our pilots, men and women, would fly in Iran, who would have believed it? If I had told you a year ago that the United States of America, the strongest power in the world, would fight by our side shoulder to shoulder, wing to wing, for nearly 40 days against the common enemy, who would have believed it? But all of this happened because we initiated, we acted, we attacked.
And why did we embark on this campaign? Because Iran was very close to achieving nuclear weapons and achieving the capability to produce missiles, thousands upon thousands of missiles. Not a handful of missiles a day that would fall on us, but many hundreds every single day, two existential threats that we were forced to remove from over our heads.
If we had not launched Operation Rising Lion and later Operation Roaring Lion, Iran would already have atomic bombs, and we prevented that. And I will tell you how we prevented it, because before Rising Lion, I received precise intelligence, in time, and it told us that Iran was starting to act to turn enriched uranium into nuclear weapons. And the moment we received this intelligence, we went into action. We eliminated 12 of their senior nuclear scientists, we attacked their nuclear facilities together with our American friends—you remember the attack on Fordow with the B-2s. What excellent work they did. And we also attacked missile stockpiles and hundreds of launchers. And all of this removed a dual, immediate existential threat from us.
But after Rising Lion, several months later, precise intelligence reached me again, and again in time, and this intelligence showed that Khamenei had ordered the resumption and even the expansion of both the nuclear industry and the missile industry. I use the word 'industry' and mean something much more extensive deep underground.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this evening (Saturday, 11 April 2026) [translated from Hebrew]:
"Dear citizens of Israel, my brothers and sisters, the campaign is not yet over, but even now it can be clearly stated – we have achieved historic accomplishments.
I want you to remember where we were: Iran tried to squeeze us in a stranglehold; Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Assad regime in Syria, the militias in Iraq, the Houthis in Yemen, Iran itself. That is to say, they wanted to choke us, and we are choking them. They threatened us with destruction, and now they are fighting to survive. We struck them. We still have more to do, and I will detail that shortly, but I want to start specifically with Iran itself, specifically with the head of the octopus, because I have dedicated a significant portion of my life to preventing one thing, that this regime of terror achieves nuclear weapons, through which it seeks to annihilate the Jewish state and bring an end to Jewish history.
I spoke about this in Congress, at the UN, and in various parliaments. I authorized all sorts of operations, most of them covert, to delay them, and indeed we delayed them, but the world, the world did not listen. Many said – 'It's not that bad', 'It's not even that bad for Iran to have nuclear weapons.' I heard these voices not only from the outside, I heard them even among us. And I, as the Prime Minister of Israel, the head of the one and only Jewish state, could not accept that. And the great change occurred on that evening of Operation Rising Lion when I announced to you that our daring pilots were flying in the skies of Iran, flying in the skies of Iran and striking targets across all of Iran, we were the first to break the barrier of fear, the fear of acting within Iran itself. I remember my feeling, what excitement, what pride. Chills. And I know that you all experienced it too.
We were the first to act because we knew what was at stake. But if I had told you a year ago that our pilots, men and women, would fly in Iran, who would have believed it? If I had told you a year ago that the United States of America, the strongest power in the world, would fight by our side shoulder to shoulder, wing to wing, for nearly 40 days against the common enemy, who would have believed it? But all of this happened because we initiated, we acted, we attacked.
And why did we embark on this campaign? Because Iran was very close to achieving nuclear weapons and achieving the capability to produce missiles, thousands upon thousands of missiles. Not a handful of missiles a day that would fall on us, but many hundreds every single day, two existential threats that we were forced to remove from over our heads.
If we had not launched Operation Rising Lion and later Operation Roaring Lion, Iran would already have atomic bombs, and we prevented that. And I will tell you how we prevented it, because before Rising Lion, I received precise intelligence, in time, and it told us that Iran was starting to act to turn enriched uranium into nuclear weapons. And the moment we received this intelligence, we went into action. We eliminated 12 of their senior nuclear scientists, we attacked their nuclear facilities together with our American friends—you remember the attack on Fordow with the B-2s. What excellent work they did. And we also attacked missile stockpiles and hundreds of launchers. And all of this removed a dual, immediate existential threat from us.
But after Rising Lion, several months later, precise intelligence reached me again, and again in time, and this intelligence showed that Khamenei had ordered the resumption and even the expansion of both the nuclear industry and the missile industry. I use the word 'industry' and mean something much more extensive deep underground.
He wanted to hide both the missile production and the nuclear production deep, deep under a high mountain, in such a way that even B-2 planes could not reach them. And again, we could not sit idly by. We went into action. In Roaring Lion, we eliminated another eight nuclear scientists who were dealing this time with weaponization, that is the production of the weapon. Not just the enriched uranium, but the weapon; without it, you cannot produce atomic bombs.
We destroyed the heavy water plant in Arak, we destroyed their entire centrifuge array, and also a uranium production plant. Essentially, we reached a situation where Iran does not have a single active enrichment plant and most of their capability to produce missiles has vanished. They still have missiles; they have a magazine of missiles that is running dry.
In other words, we succeeded here in crushing the nuclear program, crushing the missile program, and we also had an additional goal: To crush the regime in Iran. To weaken it to its lowest, weakest level since the establishment of the regime 47 years ago.
And I want to tell you what we did:
We eliminated the Supreme Leader Khamenei, his de facto successor Larijani, the Minister of Defense, the Minister of Intelligence, the Chief of Staff of the Iranian army, the commander of the Quds Force operations unit, the commanders of the Revolutionary Guards, the commanders of the Basij, the top brass of the security establishment, the intelligence leadership, the senior Air Force officers, the person responsible for UAVs, the person responsible for the transfer of funds to terrorist organizations, the commander of the Iranian Navy, the Iranian fleet in the Caspian Sea, dozens of Revolutionary Guard and internal security headquarters, dozens of helicopters and transport planes, the money machine of the Revolutionary Guards, which is the steel industry in Iran and three-quarters of the petrochemical plants in Iran, that is what the Revolutionary Guards live off of. We struck the largest gas production plant in Iran, a fuel depot, bridges, and railways that were used to transport forces and weapons. Dozens of weapon industry factories, and there are many, many more details. I am sparing you, but we did not spare them.
We destroyed the heavy water plant in Arak, we destroyed their entire centrifuge array, and also a uranium production plant. Essentially, we reached a situation where Iran does not have a single active enrichment plant and most of their capability to produce missiles has vanished. They still have missiles; they have a magazine of missiles that is running dry.
In other words, we succeeded here in crushing the nuclear program, crushing the missile program, and we also had an additional goal: To crush the regime in Iran. To weaken it to its lowest, weakest level since the establishment of the regime 47 years ago.
And I want to tell you what we did:
We eliminated the Supreme Leader Khamenei, his de facto successor Larijani, the Minister of Defense, the Minister of Intelligence, the Chief of Staff of the Iranian army, the commander of the Quds Force operations unit, the commanders of the Revolutionary Guards, the commanders of the Basij, the top brass of the security establishment, the intelligence leadership, the senior Air Force officers, the person responsible for UAVs, the person responsible for the transfer of funds to terrorist organizations, the commander of the Iranian Navy, the Iranian fleet in the Caspian Sea, dozens of Revolutionary Guard and internal security headquarters, dozens of helicopters and transport planes, the money machine of the Revolutionary Guards, which is the steel industry in Iran and three-quarters of the petrochemical plants in Iran, that is what the Revolutionary Guards live off of. We struck the largest gas production plant in Iran, a fuel depot, bridges, and railways that were used to transport forces and weapons. Dozens of weapon industry factories, and there are many, many more details. I am sparing you, but we did not spare them.
We made a giant change here. There are people who say 'We have no achievements.' There are giant achievements, and it is reflected in this weakened regime that is begging for a ceasefire. It is reflected in internal conflicts at the top. We know about this; we see their increasing difficulty in meeting the needs of the citizens. It is reflected in the deep weakening of the regime of terror. Iran is no longer the same Iran, and Israel is no longer the same Israel.
Those who threatened to destroy us are now fighting for their own survival. And regarding the arms of the octopus, here too, we did great things. First of all, we established a rule: Israel will not tolerate a situation where terrorist organizations sit on its border. Therefore, we created security zones deep in enemy territory; in Gaza, we control over 50% of the territory of the Strip. We are squeezing Hamas from every side, and we will deal with it. In Syria, we are at the summit of Mount Hermon and we reach as far as the Yarmouk, and there we also take care of our Druze brothers, as I promised our allies.
In Lebanon, a polar change has occurred. You remember Nasrallah, he used to boast that 'the Jews are a spider's web', so he was eliminated, and what we eliminated along with him was his massive missile arsenal. An arsenal of 150,000 missiles and rockets, the vast majority of which we destroyed in 6 hours. They have some rockets left; we are dealing with that. But they planned another thing: they planned for thousands of Radwan Force terrorists to reach the border line, invade, and conquer the Galilee. We eliminated that.
First of all, we killed many of them, we crushed all the underground infrastructure they prepared, the tunnels, the terrorist villages above ground, and we created a security zone of between 8-10 km to remove the anti-tank missile threat from our communities. We are still fighting them; it is not over yet. You saw just a few days ago; we carried out the most powerful operation since the pagers. We eliminated hundreds of terrorists all at once, in ten minutes—and we are still active. It continues all the time. We are fighting Hezbollah and we are determined, I am determined, to return security to the residents of the North. They deserve it just like all the citizens of Israel.
I want to tell you what happened here: As a result of this power we demonstrated, Lebanon turned to us in the last month, turned several times, to start direct peace talks. This has never happened in history; well, it happened once decades ago, but now they turned to us and I approved it subject to two things: We want to reach the disarming of Hezbollah and we want a real peace agreement, a peace agreement that will last for generations.
Those who threatened to destroy us are now fighting for their own survival. And regarding the arms of the octopus, here too, we did great things. First of all, we established a rule: Israel will not tolerate a situation where terrorist organizations sit on its border. Therefore, we created security zones deep in enemy territory; in Gaza, we control over 50% of the territory of the Strip. We are squeezing Hamas from every side, and we will deal with it. In Syria, we are at the summit of Mount Hermon and we reach as far as the Yarmouk, and there we also take care of our Druze brothers, as I promised our allies.
In Lebanon, a polar change has occurred. You remember Nasrallah, he used to boast that 'the Jews are a spider's web', so he was eliminated, and what we eliminated along with him was his massive missile arsenal. An arsenal of 150,000 missiles and rockets, the vast majority of which we destroyed in 6 hours. They have some rockets left; we are dealing with that. But they planned another thing: they planned for thousands of Radwan Force terrorists to reach the border line, invade, and conquer the Galilee. We eliminated that.
First of all, we killed many of them, we crushed all the underground infrastructure they prepared, the tunnels, the terrorist villages above ground, and we created a security zone of between 8-10 km to remove the anti-tank missile threat from our communities. We are still fighting them; it is not over yet. You saw just a few days ago; we carried out the most powerful operation since the pagers. We eliminated hundreds of terrorists all at once, in ten minutes—and we are still active. It continues all the time. We are fighting Hezbollah and we are determined, I am determined, to return security to the residents of the North. They deserve it just like all the citizens of Israel.
I want to tell you what happened here: As a result of this power we demonstrated, Lebanon turned to us in the last month, turned several times, to start direct peace talks. This has never happened in history; well, it happened once decades ago, but now they turned to us and I approved it subject to two things: We want to reach the disarming of Hezbollah and we want a real peace agreement, a peace agreement that will last for generations.
And I want to tell you one more thing: It's not only Lebanon turning to us. Many other countries, both in the Middle East and outside of it, are turning to us for cooperation, for alliances. They see our power; power attracts, just as weakness repels. Power attracts, and Israel today is stronger than ever. This small Israel, small perhaps in territory but giant in spirit and determination, and we have become the strongest regional power. Everyone understands this. And in some senses, a global power too. So they tell us 'There are no achievements', there are massive achievements here! This is a historic change. We crushed the nuclear program. We crushed the missiles. We crushed the regime. We have an unprecedented alliance with our great friend the President of the US, between the IDF and of course the US military, relationships that never existed before.
Now, these achievements are not yet finished. There is still enriched material in Iran. And as President Trump said, it needs to be removed. Either it will be removed by agreement, or it will come out in other ways. But we are working in cooperation between myself and President Trump, and between Israel and the US, that is unprecedented. These are achievements that change the entire balance of power. And Israel is a different Israel, stronger than ever.
There are those who dismiss these achievements, who diminish them, first and foremost Iran, and Iran's propaganda echoes in our media channels. There is a mighty, huge change here, and it came thanks to our daring pilots, men and women, and our ground crews who work around the clock, and our heroic commanders and soldiers, and the fallen who fell for us, and those wounded in body and soul, for whose recovery we pray.
And it came thanks to you, citizens of Israel. You have stood firm all the time; I salute you. And it came thanks to the brave, determined, and informed decisions of the government under my leadership, and I want to tell you, we are still active. 'Behold, a people that rises up as a lioness, and as a lion lifts himself up [Numbers 23:24]’; and with G-d's help, we will continue to act together, and we will continue to win."
Now, these achievements are not yet finished. There is still enriched material in Iran. And as President Trump said, it needs to be removed. Either it will be removed by agreement, or it will come out in other ways. But we are working in cooperation between myself and President Trump, and between Israel and the US, that is unprecedented. These are achievements that change the entire balance of power. And Israel is a different Israel, stronger than ever.
There are those who dismiss these achievements, who diminish them, first and foremost Iran, and Iran's propaganda echoes in our media channels. There is a mighty, huge change here, and it came thanks to our daring pilots, men and women, and our ground crews who work around the clock, and our heroic commanders and soldiers, and the fallen who fell for us, and those wounded in body and soul, for whose recovery we pray.
And it came thanks to you, citizens of Israel. You have stood firm all the time; I salute you. And it came thanks to the brave, determined, and informed decisions of the government under my leadership, and I want to tell you, we are still active. 'Behold, a people that rises up as a lioness, and as a lion lifts himself up [Numbers 23:24]’; and with G-d's help, we will continue to act together, and we will continue to win."
(Communicated by the President's Spokesperson)
Sunday, 12 April 2026 / 25 Nisan 5786
President Isaac Herzog Hosts Holocaust Survivors Participating in State Opening Ceremony for Israel's Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Day
On April 12, 2026, President Isaac Herzog and First Lady Michal Herzog hosted the Holocaust survivors and their family members participating in the official state opening ceremony for Israel’s Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Day 2026 at Yad Vashem. Also attending the meeting at the President's Residence in Jerusalem was Dani Dayan, the Chairman of Yad Vashem.
The Holocaust survivors hosted by the President and First Lady were Haviva Burst, Michael Sidko, Menachem Neeman, Moshe Harari, Avigdor Neumann, Saadia Bahat, and Ilana Fallach. The President and First Lady listened to their personal testimonies of loss, heroism, and choices to embrace life, build families, and contribute to building the State of Israel.
President Isaac Herzog:
“This memory must echo from generation to generation. Every time I am moved anew. Men and women who saw Mengele, who were in the forests, who endured the ghettos and the concentration camps, and here they are with us.
“This is a privilege that places upon us a duty: to tell and pass on, to ensure that ‘never again’ becomes reality. We are in a constant struggle to defend our state, our name, and our right to live as a free people, and certainly here, in the nation-state of the Jewish people, the State of Israel.“
Attached photo credits: Haim Zach (GPO)
Benjamin Lee, benjaminl@president.gov.il, 050-6169572
Sunday, 12 April 2026 / 25 Nisan 5786
President Isaac Herzog Hosts Holocaust Survivors Participating in State Opening Ceremony for Israel's Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Day
On April 12, 2026, President Isaac Herzog and First Lady Michal Herzog hosted the Holocaust survivors and their family members participating in the official state opening ceremony for Israel’s Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Day 2026 at Yad Vashem. Also attending the meeting at the President's Residence in Jerusalem was Dani Dayan, the Chairman of Yad Vashem.
The Holocaust survivors hosted by the President and First Lady were Haviva Burst, Michael Sidko, Menachem Neeman, Moshe Harari, Avigdor Neumann, Saadia Bahat, and Ilana Fallach. The President and First Lady listened to their personal testimonies of loss, heroism, and choices to embrace life, build families, and contribute to building the State of Israel.
President Isaac Herzog:
“This memory must echo from generation to generation. Every time I am moved anew. Men and women who saw Mengele, who were in the forests, who endured the ghettos and the concentration camps, and here they are with us.
“This is a privilege that places upon us a duty: to tell and pass on, to ensure that ‘never again’ becomes reality. We are in a constant struggle to defend our state, our name, and our right to live as a free people, and certainly here, in the nation-state of the Jewish people, the State of Israel.“
Attached photo credits: Haim Zach (GPO)
Benjamin Lee, benjaminl@president.gov.il, 050-6169572