​Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today (Wednesday, 1 August 2018), at the Haifa navy base, attended the navy officers' course graduation ceremony. Following is an excerpt from his remarks:
 
"The sea provides us with many opportunities. Above all it increases the small size of the State of Israel and allows us to deploy our vessels above and below the waves across a vast area. This gives the State of Israel considerable power.
 
At the start of the week we witnessed a sharp clash with Iranian proxies who tried to obstruct international navigation in the straits at the entrance to the Red Sea.
 
If Iran tries to block the Bab-el-Mandeb, I am convinced that it will find itself facing a determined international coalition to prevent this. This coalition would also include the State of Israel and all its arms."