MK Gadi Eisenkot and Head of the National Unity party MK Benny Gantz hold a press conference in Ramat Gan, Sept. 3, 2024. (Photo: Miriam Alster/Flash90)
Following the confirmed killing of Hezbollah Sec.-Gen. Hassan Nasrallah in Lebanon, politicians across Israel’s fractured political spectrum praised the operation that eliminated one of Israel’s greatest enemies.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant posted a video message on 𝕏 announcing Nasrallah’s death, and addressing Lebanese citizens.
“To the people of Lebanon, I say: our war is not with you. It’s time for change.”
The State of Israel has eliminated Hassan Nasrallah – the leader of Hezbollah.
He was the murderer of thousands of Israelis and foreign citizens.
He was an immediate threat to the lives of thousands of Israelis and other citizens.
To our enemies I say: we are strong and… pic.twitter.com/s3OfVk4tCX— יואב גלנט – Yoav Gallant (@yoavgallant) September 28, 2024
President Isaac Herzog posted a message quoting Psalm 18, in which he congratulated “the Prime Minister, the Defense Minister, and the Cabinet for the decision to carry out the successful operation.”
“I pursued my enemies and overtook them, and did not turn back till they were consumed.” (Psalm 18:37)
“I hope that this operation will bring change and hope and peace in the region,” said Herzog.
Opposition leader Benny Gantz said, “The elimination of Nasrallah and Hezbollah’s chain of command is a regional watershed moment. It isn’t only a matter of justice – but also constitutes an opportunity.”
“We face significant challenges,” Gantz continued, “but we are now also presented with an opportunity to weaken the Iranian ‘Ring of Fire’ and advance the war’s objectives: returning both the hostages still brutally held in Gaza & the citizens of Northern Israel back to their homes.”
Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana posted a message on 𝕏 in Arabic, alongside a photo of Hassan Nasrallah: “Whoever goes in his way, will reach his place.”
Former Defense Minister and head of Israel’s Beytenu party, Avigdor Liberman, quoted from the Book of Judges 5:31.
“Thus may all your enemies perish” in a message congratulating “the security forces for the bold and determined action that led to the assassination of the arch-terrorist, the leader of the murderous organization Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah.”
Liberman added, “Every terrorist who wants to harm the citizens of Israel knows that the long arm of the security system reaches everywhere and that the people of Israel do not forget and do not forgive those who seek their lives.”
Opposition leader Yair Lapid also took to 𝕏 to say he “congratulates the security establishment, the IDF and the Air Force for the elimination of the chief murderer Hassan Nasrallah. Let all our enemies know that whoever attacks Israel is a son of death. This is an important achievement for the deterrence and security of the State of Israel.”
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir released a statement congratulating “the prime minister, defense minister, and cabinet colleagues who made this important decision, and the members of the defense establishment who carried out a perfect execution that led to the assassination of Hassan Nasrallah. This is the time to continue, not to stop and dismantle the Hezbollah terrorist organization, in order to return the residents of the north to their homes in security and remove the threat from the State of Israel.”
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called on Israel to “continue with all our might and crush Hezbollah as a whole, with its fighters, infrastructure and weapons. We will end this long war with all Israeli citizens facing no threat from either the north or the south. Only in this way will the country be quiet for 40 years.”
Gadi Eisenkot released a statement congratulating “the defense establishment, the chief of staff, and the political echelon on the beheading of the Hezbollah leadership, led by Hassan Nasrallah, a bitter and cruel enemy that we have been fighting for decades.”
Eisenkot continued, “His elimination is settling a bloody reckoning with one of Israel’s greatest enemies. Over the years, I lost brothers in arms and blood comrades fighting terrorists sent by Nasrallah. This is an important closure that constitutes a certificate of honor and pride for all those involved in a long-standing work, brilliant execution that expresses intelligence work, planning and training, creativity and daring.”
He called on Israel’s military leaders to translate the achievement into the accomplishment of the war goals, including the “return of the hostages.”
Yuli Edelstein, chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, praised the security forces and the government for eliminating Nasrallah.
“Great work by the security forces, the political echelon and the other elements that took part in the activity that crushed Nasrallah and his environs. He hid for decades in bunkers, under which Hezbollah became a worldwide terrorist and criminal militia – a drug empire that fueled and financed terror and murder around the world. Israel is removing this threat – step by step and with determination.”
Justice Minister Yariv Levin said the strikes on Hezbollah leadership “restore pride, strength, and deterrence” to Israel. “During the war, we experienced quite a few difficult moments. The events of recent days restore pride, strength and deterrence to the State of Israel.”
“Even in these moments, we do not forget for a moment our abductees, are committed to returning them to their homes, and are constantly working to do so. We embrace the bereaved families and wish a speedy recovery to our wounded. The people of Israel live!” Levin stated.
Yair Golan, leader of the new “Democrats” party, said, “The elimination of Nasrallah is a huge and important achievement. A new era has begun in the Middle East.”
“This is the time to consolidate the achievement in the north, to reach a deal for the release of hostages, and to end the war in regional conditions with tremendous potential,” he continued.
His political partner, Merav Michaeli, welcomed Nasrallah’s elimination, but said Israel must “leverage the advantage that the IDF obtained for us for a political settlement that will return the hostages and help strengthen the moderates and isolate Iran.”
She called for a change of government, saying, “Netanyahu and his government aren’t interested in an arrangement like that. They aren’t qualified – certainly not qualified for a war against Iran.”
Gideon Sa’ar, who until recently was rumored to be tapped as the replacement Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, released a statement congratulating the government.
“I commend the government for this important and courageous decision, and the IDF for the perfect execution of Nasrallah’s assassination. We must continue constantly with all our might in destroying Hezbollah’s capabilities in Lebanon as a whole and destroying the organization’s infrastructure near the border.”
