Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu has issued a stern warning to neigbouring countries threatening to challenge the sovereignty of Israel as a nation.

The Prime Minister, while addressing a crowd of thousands at a joint Australian –New Zealand service on Tuesday to mark the centenary of the famed Battled of Beersheba said the story of the 800 Australians who went up against 4,000 Turkish soldiers in bunkers armed with machines and won, represented the spirit of Israel’s army.

Flagged by his Australian counterpart, Malcolm Turnbull, Netanyahu said: “We seek peace with all our neighbours but we will not tolerate any attacks on our sovereignty, on our people, on our land – whether from the air, from the sea, from the ground or below the ground.

 

“We attack those who seek so attack us, and those who contemplate that, I strongly advice you: do not test the will of the state of Israel or the army of Israel,” he added amidst cheers.

 

While crediting the Australians involved in the charge with playing an important role in the rebirth of Jewish people, Netanyahu said he believed that the 31 of them who died in the battle would be proud of the deep and enduring alliance between both nations.

He further affirmed Israel’s resolve to promote and uphold peace and democracy and stand strongly against any form of tyranny and terror.