netanyahu: "We are determined to protect our borders and our sovereignty".

"Today thousands of people gathered along the border fence between Syria and Israel in the area of Majdal Shams. Some of them broke through the fence and infiltrated the Israeli side. Similar attempts took place along our borders with Gaza and Lebanon. I instructed the Israel Defense Forces to act with maximum restraint but to stop the infiltrations of our borders.

We hope that calm and quiet will soon be restored, but let no one be mistaken – we are determined to protect our borders and our sovereignty. It is important to point out that these events are taking place on a day which marks the establishment of the State of Israel.

The leaders of these violent demonstrations have personally stated that their struggle is not over the ’67 lines, but rather to undermine the very existence of the State of Israel, which they define as a disaster which must be corrected.

It is important that we face reality with our eyes wide open and know with whom we are dealing and what we are facing".