In favor 61, against 60, I determine
that the budget bill for 2021 has passed.
There is a budget for the State of Israel.
59 with, 56 against. There is a budget for the state of Israel.
As Defense Minister I conclude that the state budget which we pass
enables us to develop capabilities which are critical for the existence
of the state of Israel in the face of challenges that are continually
developing, especially from the side of Iran, which continues its nuclear
arms race, continues to plant its seeds of chaos in Syria,
Lebanon and Gaza. We will continue to act against
all of this and will make certain to cut off Iran’s oxygen of
regional terror in every place where it raises its head.
Over the past year, we proved as part of a large number of successful tests
and also during Operation Guardian of the Walls (Gaza), the capacity
to withstand of the overall multi-layered defense systems
against advanced threats including cruise missiles.
The MDO at the Defense Ministry together with the American
Organizations for protection of missiles, in cooperation with
the Air Force and (defense) industries continue to strengthen
Israel’s detection (radar) systems. The Aerial Detection Balloon will
hoover at high altitudes, will monitor distant ranges,
and will enable maximum detection capacity of advanced
threats from different directions.
The system will grant (Israel) qualitative-edge solutions from
a strategic standpoint for the defense of Israel’s skies.
The unique development is made possible thanks to the talented
engineers of IAI who worked days-and-nights to develop these
advanced technologies which deal effectively
with a wide variety of targets.
I call again on the information minister to listen to his conscience,
put circumstances into consideration and take the stance he should take,
and prioritize national interest over populist slogans.
My bet remains on his national sense to consider the circumstances
and what's best for Lebanese citizens in Lebanon and outside.
The cabinet meeting is the natural place to discuss all issues
and matters that concern the government,
away from dictates... and using the language of threats.
The rightful description used by media personality and (information) minister
George Kordahi to describe the war led by the Kingdom against Yemen
and its oppressed people does not justify at all the Saudi reaction
that amounts to waging war and does not justify hasty
measures against Lebanon and its people.
I conveyed to him (U.S. President Joe Biden) our sadness with
the support these terrorist organizations in Syria, like
the PKK (Kurdistan Workers' Party), PYD (Democratic Union Party)
and YPG (People's Defense Units) are receiving from the United States,
and we, as a NATO country, expressed the sadness
that this support causes us.
We will set up a working group to address these issues.
We have previously said that we made such an offer
to the US, and now this offer has come from the US, from Biden.