Statement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today (Tuesday, 10 February 2015), issued
the following statement:
"First, on behalf of the people of Israel, I wish to send condolences to
President Obama, the American people and the family of Kayla Mueller. We
stand with you.
Israel’s survival is not a partisan issue, not in Israel nor in the United
States.
This doesn’t mean that from time to time Israeli governments have not had
serious disagreements with American administrations over the best way to
achieve the security of Israel.
Israel's first Prime Minister, David Ben-Gurion, declared Israel’s
independence in the face of strong opposition from US Secretary of State
George Marshall. Likewise, Prime Minister Eshkol’s decisions at the start of
the Six Day War, Prime Minister Begin’s decision regarding the nuclear
reactor in Iraq, and Prime Minister Sharon’s decisions to press ahead with
Operation Defensive Shield; these were all strongly opposed at the time by
American administrations.
Disagreements over Israel’s security have occurred between prime ministers
in Israel from the left and from the right and American presidents from both
parties.
None of these disagreements led to a rupture in the relationship between
Israel and the United States.
In fact, over time, our relationship grew stronger.
But we do have today a profound disagreement with the United States
administration and the rest of the P5+1 over the offer that has been made to
Iran.
This offer would enable Iran to threaten Israel's survival.
This is a regime, Iran, that is openly committed to Israel’s destruction. It
would be able, under this deal, to break out to a nuclear weapon in a short
time, and within a few years, to have the industrial capability to produce
many nuclear bombs for the goal of our destruction.
This is not a personal disagreement between President Obama and me. I deeply
appreciate all that he has done for Israel in many fields. Equally, I know
that the President appreciates my responsibility, my foremost
responsibility, to protect and defend the security of Israel.
I am going to the United States not because I seek a confrontation with the
President, but because I must fulfil my obligation to speak up on a matter
that affects the very survival of my country.
I intend to speak about this issue before the March 24th deadline and I
intend to speak in the US Congress because Congress might have an important
role on a nuclear deal with Iran.
Thank you." |
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