Visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at the White House on Monday that Israel must reserve its right to defend itself "against any threat," adding that the Jewish state must be the "master of its fate."

"Israel must have the ability always to defend itself, against any threat, and when it comes to Israel's security, Israel has the right -- a sovereign right to make its own decisions," he said.

"Israel must reserve the right to defend itself," said Netanyahu. "After all, that's the very purpose of the Jewish state: to restore to the Jewish people control over our destiny."

He added that the supreme responsibility as the prime minister of Israel is to ensure that the Jewish state "remains the master of its fate."