New Orleans, Louisiana (CNN) -- In a speech before the general assembly of a major Jewish organization, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Iran the biggest threat to his country and the world.
"The first requirement of any living organism, of the people of any collective body, is to identify danger in time," Netanyahu said. "The greatest danger facing Israel and the world is the prospect of a nuclear-armed Iran".
Netanyahu spoke at the Jewish Federations of North America annual gathering in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Iran threatens to annihilate Israel, Netanyahu said, adding that Iran denies the Holocaust occurred and sponsors terrorism.
He thanked U.S. President Barack Obama's administration for its efforts to get the United Nations to place new sanctions on Iran.
The use of force against Iran must always remain on the table, the prime minister said. According to him, the only time that Iran halted its nuclear program was briefly in 2003, when it believed there was a credible threat of attack.
"Containment against Iran won't work," he said.
Chants from the audience disrupted Netanyahu's speech, and security pulled at least five protesters from the crowd. It was not immediately known if they were arrested.
They were chanting that a controversial "loyalty oath" in Israel and Israeli occupation weaken Israel's legitimacy.
Netanyahu also focused on what he called disinformation and libel against Israel by its detractors.
CNN
