Netanyahu accuses world of hypocrisy

On silence over rocket fire from Gaza

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continued his aggressive battle against efforts to delegitimise Israel, broadly hinting during Sunday's cabinet meeting at the need for a unity government to deal with the situation.

“Against the efforts to harm Israel with threats, false accusations and boycotts, we must stand – right and left – as one, to deflect the pressures, uncover the lies, and attack the attackers,” he said at the opening of the weekly cabinet meeting.

“We will harness forces in this country and around the world, will smash the lies of our enemies, and struggle for the right of Israel to live in peace and security – to live at all," he said.

Minister without Portfolio Ophir Akunis was more explicit in the call for a national unity government in light of the BDS campaign, telling reporters before the meeting that the “widest government as possible” was needed to “struggle together” against the threat. Netanyahu said Israel is in the midst of establishing both an offensive and defensive campaign against efforts to boycott Israel and to harm the ability of the IDF to defend the country.

“From the standpoint of those perpetrating the boycott, the settlements in Judea and Samaria are not the focus of the conflict, but rather our settlements in Tel Aviv-Jaffa, Beersheba, Haifa and, of course, Jerusalem,” he said.