"Israel is surrounded by outposts of radical Islam; therefore, we need to safeguard our borders," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the eighth Negev Conference in Dimona on Tuesday.
"We have completed a major endeavor: building a fence along more than 200 kilometers of border with [the] Sinai [Peninsula]. Were it not for the fence, we would be faced with major attacks by Sinai terrorists, and something much worse, a flood of illegal migrants from Africa," he said.
Speaking of the potential impact of illegal migrants on Israel's demographics, Netanyahu said, "We are talking about a Jewish and democratic state, but how could we assure a Jewish and democratic state with 50,000, and then 100,000 and 150,000 migrants a year? After a million, 1.5 million, one could close up shop.
"But we have not closed up shop. We built a fence, and at the same time, out of concern for [our] security needs, we are making a major investment in infrastructure."
In a message to those who try to harm Israelis, Netanyahu said, "The equation is simple: Anyone who tries to hurt us, we will hurt them. Israel will not tolerate any attempt to harm us and will act with determination to prevent such an attack.
"It must be understood: You cannot attack us without paying a very high price.
"Our hand is always extended toward peace, true peace. [But] in any situation, with or without a [peace] settlement, we will always take care of Israel's security."
