Prime Minister Netanayhu at his government's weekly cabinet meeting. Photo: Screenshot.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday praised Israel’s Police force for maintaining security over the Rosh Hashana holiday and for lowering the country’s crime rate.

Speaking at the start of the government’s weekly cabinet meeting where Police Commissioner Inspector-General Yohanan Danino presented a report on crime statistics, Netanyahu said, “First, I would like to thank the soldiers of the IDF, the officers of the Israel Police and Border Police, and all the men and women of our security services for the quiet and peaceful holiday that we just had throughout the country, in the cities and in nature.”

“This is not self-evident given the storm raging around us,” he said. “We are watching over Israel, an island of tranquility, quiet and security, which also stems from our responsible and balanced policy and the very professional and vigorous action – only some of which is known to the public – by all of the security arms.”

“The combination of these two things – a sober, balanced and responsible policy and professional security action – is what brought us this quiet. Insofar as it depends on us, we are working so that it will continue,” Netanyahu said. “I would like to take this opportunity to wish ministers, as well as the entire Jewish people, a good year, may you be inscribed for good. May we have a good and safe year; that is the first thing.”

In his opening remarks, Netanyahu congratulated Inspector-General Danino and the Israel Police, as well as Public Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch, also in attendance, for lowering the crime rate.

Speaking about the crime rate, Netanyahu said, “These things have a direction, trend and policy and you have led it; the Government supports it. We will hear the details about this activity and no less important, the results. In the end, we are measured by results in every field.”