Benjamin Netanyahu Photo: Sean Gallup / Getty Images
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recorded a video message to the Iranian people in which he accused the Iranian leadership of wasting money on the conflict with Israel instead of investing in the country’s welfare. The video was released on Tuesday, DPA reports.
“Another Iranian strike will cost the country billions of dollars and cause serious damage to the economy. I know that you do not want this war. I don’t want war either, and the people of Israel don’t want it,” Netanyahu said, stressing that the responsibility for the threat lies with the Iranian leadership, which “constantly puts your families in danger.”
Netanyahu recalled that in October, Iran spent about $2.3 billion on military operations, while these funds could have been used to develop the country’s healthcare, education and infrastructure. According to him, the Iranian leadership is “obsessed with the idea of destroying Israel instead of building its own country”.
The prime minister also stressed that Iran is getting weaker, while Israel is only strengthening its positions. “The only person Tehran is afraid of is its own people,” Netanyahu said. In his opinion, the Iranian authorities are spending significant resources to suppress the will of their citizens to be free.
He urged Iranians not to give up, adding that “Israel and the free world stand with you in your quest for freedom and equality.”
“I have no doubt that one day, in a free Iran, Israelis and Iranians will build a peaceful and prosperous future together,” Netanyahu concluded, expressing hope for peace and cooperation between the countries in the future.
