Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu speaking after laying the cornerstone for the new Golani Interchange, on Mach 28, 2012. Photo: Moshe Milner, GPO.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Golani interchange in Israel’s Lower Galilee on Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that while the country’s neighbors, Syria, to the north, and Egypt, to the south, are engulfed in civil unrest and war, Israel continues to develop its land.

“We have very great tasks in light of what is occurring throughout our region both near and far. While they shoot at each other, we build for each other,” the Prime Minister said.

“Our state is peaceful, certain of the strength of the IDF and sure in itself because it knows that it can defend itself. I will not allow anyone to harm the State of Israel. I ask you to go out and enjoy the holiday [Rosh Hashana, Jewish New Year] and if someone thinks of harming the tranquility of the holiday, he knows what awaits him,” he said.

The Lower Galilee event was also attended by Transportation and Road Safety Minister Yisrael Katz and Director General Uzi Yitzhaki.

The Golani  interchange cost NIS 300 million ($83 million), and is part of the NIS 27.5 billion ($7.6 billion) “Israel Lanes” plan to create a national network of highways and rail lines from Kiryat Shemona, in the north to Eilat, in the south.

Netanyahu laid the cornerstone for the interchange in March, 2012.