A spokesperson for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the nation is "fighting to stay alive" and to secure Israel's future. Tal Heinrich told CBN News Israel believes support from the international community is "great," but the country is not going to back down simply because other world leaders choose to abandon or minimize support. "When you're fighting a war, you want moral clarity, you want global support on your side," she said. "But we're not fighting for support. We're fighting to stay alive. We're fighting so we can have a better future in the region for us, and for the Palestinians, should they ... choose the path of peace."
Heinrich continued, "So, with or without international support, including American support, we will do what has to be done, because ... we will not die, we will not commit public suicide; we will fight a war that must be fought for our survival." Her comments came after U.S. President Joe Biden reportedly warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this week that Israel must do more on the humanitarian front or risk the U.S. changing its policies on the matter. The president also pressed for an "immediate cease-fire."
As for any ceasefire, Heinrich was resolute there wouldn't be one that "keeps the hostages in Gaza and Hamas in power." "That is simply unacceptable," she said. "We took this decision as a nation that we will not live next to this terrorist enclave. We define very clear war objectives that Hamas must be gone ... and that Gaza can never pose a terror threat to us again." As for those around the world who might be putting pressure and responsibility on Israel rather than Hamas, she said such strategies serve Hamas' "war machine" and incentivizes them to continue using "Palestinians as human shields."
Such a posture, Heinrich said, sends Hamas the message that their efforts are "working," particularly when they see international pressure being placed on Israel. Heinrich also spoke about some of the diabolical strategies she believes Hamas uses in war. "They want to maximize the civilian suffering and civilian casualties in Gaza, because they want Israel to take the fire for their vile actions and methods of war, using civilians and urban structures as shields for their war machine," she said. "And they want the international pressure to be used as leverage against Israel in a way that will let them stay in power, live another day, and carry out another October 7th massacre."
Heinrich warned people around the world are "falling for their trap." Listen to her discuss these issues, the Iranian threat, and more.