Netanyahu: ‘We Will Make Our Own Decisions Whether to Strike Back At Iran’

Despite calls for restraint from U.S., U.K., Germany and others, Israel says it will do everything necessary to defend itself

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel will make its own decision on whether to strike back against Iran. Despite the international community’s concerns about escalating tensions in the Middle East and their dissuasion of Israel’s retaliation against Iran, Netanyahu emphasized that it is a matter for Israel to decide for itself.

According to CNN and other sources, “We are grateful to our allies for their support in defense of Israel,” Prime Minister Netanyahu said during a cabinet meeting on the 17th (local time). He continued, “But let me be clear: We will make our own decisions, and Israel will do everything necessary to defend itself.” Netanyahu’s stance came after meeting with British Foreign Secretary David Cameron and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, who visited Israel to discuss the Middle East situation.

This is interpreted as a de facto refusal of the international community’s call for Israel to refrain from striking back. Recently, major countries have been urging Israel to refrain from responding to escalating tensions in the Middle East. U.S. President Joe Biden reportedly opposed Israel’s retaliation during a call with Prime Minister Netanyahu. On the same day, Foreign Secretary Cameron said, “We hope they act in a way that escalates the conflict as little as possible.” Minister Baerbock stated, “All regional parties should exercise utmost restraint. Escalating tensions do not help Israel’s security, the dozens of hostages still held by Hamas, the residents of the Gaza Strip, or the Iranian people suffering under the regime.” Nevertheless, Israel is interpreted as having signaled its unwillingness to be coerced by the international community.

Iran also seems to think that Israel will strike back. “Iran is preparing for an Israeli retaliatory strike,” the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported. Assuming that an Israeli attack is imminent, the air force is preparing, while the navy will begin escorting Iranian merchant ships.

Meanwhile, the leaders of the 27 European Union (EU) countries have decided to impose additional sanctions on Iran’s drone and missile production. A joint statement released after the special EU summit in Brussels, Belgium, announced, “The EU will take additional restrictive measures against Iran, particularly in relation to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs, drones) and missiles.”