Netanyahu to Commandos: IDF a ‘Great Answer’ to Anti-Semitism

“The spirit of the Maccabees is here – you are the Maccabees,” Netanyahu told the IDF commandos. 

By: United with Israel Staff

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who also serves as Israel’s defense minister, on Tuesday visited an IDF Commando Brigade exercise together with IDF Chief-of-Staff Lt.-Gen. Gadi Eisenkot and other senior officers.

Netanyahu was briefed by the Chief-of-Staff, GOC Commando Brigade Col. Kobi Heller and other senior officers.

The IDF’s Commando Brigade launched a large-scale 10-day exercise this week in various parts of the country to practice simultaneous fighting against the Hamas terror group in the Gaza Strip and the Hezbollah terrorist organization in Lebanon.

The IDF stated that the purpose of the drill is to improve the Commando Brigade’s preparedness for war.

Addressing the Special Forces, Netanyahu said that the great answer to anti-Semitism is the state of Israel and the IDF.”

“Once we were like a driven leaf in the wind and we could be slaughtered. Today we have the power to respond,” he declared.

Noting that the Jewish people were about to celebrate the holiday of Chanukah, which symbolizes Jewish bravery and heroism, Netanyahu said that “the spirit of the Maccabees is here – you are the Maccabees.”

“We overcome our enemies with extraordinary strength and the extraordinary spirit that I see here; I see this in the IDF and in all our fighters. I am proud of you and believe in you, and the people of Israel believe in you. Continue to succeed. Watch over the state. Watch over yourselves and each other,” he concluded.

Prime Minister Netanyahu observed the forces during the exercise and viewed a presentation on advanced weaponry.

Commando Brigade Commander Heller said his unit is “ready and prepared for any scenario in which it is needed and will stand up to any enemy in any arena.”