Bennett: Israel Decided to Hit Head of Iranian Octopus

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett speaks during a news conference. (AFP)
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett speaks during a news conference. (AFP)
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Bennett: Israel Decided to Hit Head of Iranian Octopus

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett speaks during a news conference. (AFP)
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett speaks during a news conference. (AFP)

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett announced that Israel decided to change its policies towards Iran, by hitting the head of the Iranian octopus instead of its arms in the region.

Speaking to Israeli media seven months after his government was formed, the Israeli PM said for decades, the Iranian octopus, with its head in Tehran, is wrapping Israel with its arms, including Hezbollah in the north, the Islamic Jihad and to some extent Hamas in Gaza, the Shiite militias on the border with Syria, and others in Iraq, Yemen and Libya.

"We have a cold war by one side only – they hit us, and we don't hit them back. We're changing that equation. We're working every angle to weaken Iran,” Bennett stressed.

When asked whether his government will announce a war against Iran, he said, “We have to be ready for everything.”

Bennett announced that his cabinet has allocated an important budget to strength the Israeli army, and get the best weapons for the soldiers.

The PM said Iran is in a difficult situation and very weak, warning the US and western leaders that Iranians are negotiating a deal in Vienna to receive money and strengthen their regime.

He stressed that the problem of Israel with Iran is not limited to the nuclear talks, but includes the wars that Tehran launches in the region.

The PM said this is why Israel has warned the Americans and the rest of the world about the dangers of reaching a deal with Tehran.

“Even if a new deal is signed, Israel won't be obligated to it. We aren't part of it, and Israel will retain full freedom of action in any situation. I'm implementing that daily and not only in words, but also in actions,” he said.

Bennett also announced that Israel will keep taking action and won't give up.

“It's no coincidence we stepped up the number of airstrikes in Syria, as well as the kind of strikes and quality of the targets. This is making things difficult for Iran,” he added.



Pope Meets World Diplomats, Stresses Peace and Dignity of Migrants

A handout picture provided by the Vatican Media shows Pope Leo XIV during the audience with the Eastern Churches celebrating their Jubilee, in Vatican City, 14 May 2025. (EPA / Vatican Media handout)
A handout picture provided by the Vatican Media shows Pope Leo XIV during the audience with the Eastern Churches celebrating their Jubilee, in Vatican City, 14 May 2025. (EPA / Vatican Media handout)
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Pope Meets World Diplomats, Stresses Peace and Dignity of Migrants

A handout picture provided by the Vatican Media shows Pope Leo XIV during the audience with the Eastern Churches celebrating their Jubilee, in Vatican City, 14 May 2025. (EPA / Vatican Media handout)
A handout picture provided by the Vatican Media shows Pope Leo XIV during the audience with the Eastern Churches celebrating their Jubilee, in Vatican City, 14 May 2025. (EPA / Vatican Media handout)

Pope Leo XIV, in his first address to world diplomats at the Vatican, said on Friday that the dignity of migrants had to be respected, while also calling on nations to halt the production of weapons and prioritize peace efforts. 

The pope, who comes from the United States and lived for many years in Peru, described himself as a "descendant of immigrants" and called for compassion and solidarity with displaced persons. 

Pope Leo also used his speech to restate the Church's traditional teaching on marriage, affirming that it is a "stable union between a man and a woman" and underscoring the importance of family as a foundation for harmony in society. 

Leo, who was elected pope last week, wove his speech around the themes of peace, justice, religious freedom, the root causes of conflicts and the need for multi-lateral diplomacy. 

He said his experience of having lived in North and South America and his world travels had given him the ability to "transcend borders in order to encounter different peoples and cultures". 

Leo also indicated that he would continue in the tradition of his predecessors to travel the world. 

He reaffirmed the Church's position against abortion and said the Church would not hesitate to use "blunt language" to speak the truth to the powerful of the world. 

He specifically mentioned only the Middle East and Ukraine, saying they were two of the places where people were suffering "most grievously" today.