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World Jewish News
Netanyahu: Obama accepted Israel stance on Iran
27.05.2009
The Israeli government will abide by the terms of past agreements signed with the Palestinians though it will insist on reciprocity in future peace talks with the Palestinian Authority, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a raucous session at the Knesset in Jerusalem on Wednesday.
The premier told lawmakers and ministers that he had reached understandings with U.S. President Barack Obama on key defense issues. The Obama administration accepted Israel's position on Iran, the prime minister told the plenum.
In reference to Iran, Netanyahu reiterated the importance of "spotting dangers in advance."
"Our nation paid a huge price for failing to spot threats in advance," the premier said. "My job as premier is to protect the country's existential interests."
Netanyahu added that he was eager to "bring Arab states into the circle of peace," a goal he says is shared by the Obama administration.
"Bringing Arab states into circle of peace will strengthen Israel and bring security to the Palestinians as well," Netanyahu said.
The premier responded to catcalls from Kadima lawmakers by accusing his predecessors in the previous government of failing to bring results in its talks with the Palestinians.
"My peace policy will bring results faster than the government which was led by those sitting in the opposition today," Netanyahu said.
"We will insist on reciprocity in talks with Palestinians," the premier said, "in both the demands raised as well as their implementation."
Netanyahu added that he was eager to advance economic initiatives in the agricultural field for the Palestinian territories. His government would seek to attract investments from the Gulf Arab states, Europe, and Asia in an effort to boost the Palestinian economy, Netanyahu said.
Netanyahu said the Obama administration would also seek to advance "normalization" of ties between Israel and Arab government.
In response to criticism of his economic policies, Netanyahu said these were extraordinary times, and that Israel is "functioning better than most countries" under the harsh circumstances of the global financial crisis.
Following Netanyahu to the podium, opposition chairwoman Tzipi Livni blasted Netanyahu for "a basic misunderstanding of Israel's interests."
Netanyahu "missed a golden opportunity" by failing to declare his support for a two-state solution during his meeting with Obama in Washington last week, Livni said
Источник: Haaretz
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