PM Netanyahu Attends ISA Event Ahead of Independence Day
(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today (Thursday, 20 April 2017), attended
an ISA event ahead of Independence Day.

Prime Minister Netanyahu:

"The ISA is a solid foundation of our natural strength, of the revived
strength of the people of Israel. It deals with the abject hatred of us
which is manifesting itself in new ways. Over the past 18 months we have
been subjected to a new assault by an old hatred, via Facebook and
information networks in order to cause hatred and spur people to stab, run
over and murder.

On behalf of the people of Israel, I would like to take my hat off to you
because you play a great part in repelling these attacks, in saving lives. I
must tell you that the entire world is impressed because this problem has
already spread to many countries. You ask, 'How is it possible to deal with
lone attackers who are incited by the same forces?' And you tell them, 'Come
to Israel.' We know that it is not hermetic and that it could happen at any
moment. We know, I know and, to a certain degree, the public knows your
contribution in lowering the attack curve, in providing security, and in
giving and saving life. This is only a small part of what you do, which
entails considerable innovation.

I would like to express my appreciation and that of the citizens of Israel,
not all of whom know everything about what you do in order to ensure the
strength, security and future of the State of Israel, the state of the
Jewish People. I thank you with all my heart. I wish you all a happy
Independence Day. Thank you very much."

ISA Director Nadav Argaman:

"The campaign that we oversee plays out daily, in complex arenas, under
myriad threats that recur without respite. This requires us to be constantly
prepared to fight in secret, anytime and anywhere necessary. The service is
charged with this effort and there is no option but to win this war every
day.

We, the personnel of the ISA, have a very significant responsibility in
defending the State of Israel and its inhabitants, in thwarting and blocking
terrorist threats and in upholding democracy. We will continue to do this
our way – with courage, wisdom, determination, innovation, dedication and
relevancy.

We will continue to act in cooperation with our comrades in arms – ISA
personnel throughout their generations and our colleagues in the
intelligence community, from the country and from around the world. Together
we will aspire to impressive achievements in the face of the challenges and
we will lead counter-terrorism and counter-espionage on behalf of the State
of Israel and its inhabitants with professionalism, determination, pride and
a humble awareness. Happy Independence Day."