Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a videotaped message to the 2017 Saban Forum. Photo: YouTube screenshot.

JNS.org – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu predicted on Sunday that Israel will be able to conduct open diplomatic relations with Arab states in 50-100 years.

In a videotaped message played at the Saban Forum, an annual Mideast policy conference in Washington, DC, Netanyahu said, “When I look forward 50 or 100 years, I believe Israel will be openly embraced by its Arab neighbors, rather than in secret, in the way it’s done today.”

“I see Israel as a world power that continues to provide cutting-edge technology and innovation to help people around the world….I see, in short, a glorious future of prosperity and peace for Israel,” he said.

Regarding Iran — the source of ongoing security concerns for Israel due to the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program and growing military presence in Syria — the prime minister said, “One day the Iranian regime will fall. Iranian mothers and fathers will rejoice in the street. Israel will be the first in line to restore relations and rebuild our great partnership.”

Citing Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who recently called Iranian Ayatollah Ali Khamenei the “new Hitler,” Netanyahu said, “Obviously there are some important differences between Nazi Germany and the Islamic Republic of Iran, but both regimes do have two important things in common: one, a ruthless commitment to impose tyranny and terror, and second, a ruthless commitment to murder Jews.”

“When tyrants call for the destruction of my people,” he added, “I believe them. I don’t have the luxury of discounting their genocidal threats.”

Watch Netanyahu’s Saban Forum remarks below: