JERUSALEM, Sept 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday threatened war in Gaza and then flew to Russia to discuss Israeli freedom of action in Syria with President Vladimir Putin as a frenetic election race neared its end.
Before Netanyahu embarked on a visit to the Black Sea resort Sochi to see Putin, Russia condemned Netanyahu’s announced plan to annex the Jordan Valley in the occupied West Bank, after next Tuesday’s election in Israel.
In an interview with Israel’s Kan public radio, Netanyahu was questioned about persistent rocket attacks by Palestinian militants in Gaza. His opponents in what opinion polls show to be a close race have accused him of failing to do enough to end the strikes on southern Israel.
“We will probably be forced – there’ll be no choice – to enter into a campaign, a war, in Gaza,” Netanyahu said.
He said, however, that he does not risk soldiers’ and civilians’ lives “just to get applause”, and he was vague about when any such offensive war might start.
Netanyahu made the remarks two days after sirens warning of rocket fire from Hamas-run Gaza forced him off the stage at a campaign rally in southern Israel.
Israel has responded to such attacks by launching air strikes against facilities belonging to Hamas, the dominant armed group that controls the Gaza Strip.
With opinion surveys showing his right-wing Likud neck and neck with the centrist Blue and White party, Netanyahu’s Russia visit could help him burnish a statesman’s image that he has promoted throughout the campaign.
Netanyahu’s election posters have featured him shaking hands with Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump, a close ally.
“I think Israeli citizens know that if it weren’t for my connections, and meetings every three months (with Putin), we would have clashed a lot,” Netanyahu, referring to the Russian military in Syria and Israeli forces that have been attacking Iranian-linked targets there.
“The Russian army and the Israeli military and our air force are within touching distance…the big issue is how to succeed in maintaining our freedom of action in such a crowded area,” he said on the radio.
Separately in SOCHI, RUSSIA, Netanyahu unequivocally denied a report that his country was spying extensively on the United States, with a focus on the White House in Washington, DC.
A Politico article published earlier on Thursday alleged there was a massive Israeli intelligence operation in the US that used surveillance devices known as “StingRays” to intercept cellphone communications.
In Sochi, where Netanyahu was set to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Israeli leader was asked about the report.
The prime minister replied, “There is not a shred of truth to the claim that Israel installed listening devices in the United States. It’s simply an absolute lie.”
“It’s a lie and a falsehood,” Netanyahu emphasized.
He added that he has given “clear instructions” barring Israeli espionage in the US and “these instructions are strictly enforced.”
Israel’s foreign minister, Yisrael Katz, also denied the report, saying, “Israel does not manage any espionage operations in the US.”
“The US and Israel share a lot of intelligence information and work together to intercept threats and strengthening the security of both countries,” he continued.
The article asserted that the devices were used to collect information on President Donald Trump and White House staff. — NNN-AGENCIES
