Netanyahu at Eilat Journalism Conference
Photo: GPO
Netanyahu says Iranian regime vulnerable
Speaking at Eilat Journalism Conference, Prime minister calls on Western powers to impose painful sanctions on Iran, says country 'very vulnerable economically.' He urges Palestinians to help startup peace process, 'because the alternative will only benefit Hamas'
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
on Sunday called on Western powers to impose painful sanctions on Iran.
"The effort should lead to real pressure, real sanctions on the regime," he said.
Netanyahu stated that Israel
was working incessantly to gain the support of the international community for sanctions, and welcomed the International Atomic Energy Agency's decision
to rebuke Iran over its secret nuclear facility.
Speaking at the Eilat Journalism Conference, the prime minister said that the Iranian regime was very vulnerable economically. "I believe it is also vulnerable in terms of losing its legitimacy in the global public opinion, and therefore there is room for these sanctions, which I hope will be imposed."
Continued Provocations
Dudi Cohen and AP
Islamic republic continues to provoke IAEA, ordering plans for 10 new facilities to be built within two months 'in order to serve country's electricity needs'
"This is important progress, but we must see how things develop," he said. "What was significant in that decision was the fact that we are not only talking about the US and European countries, but also about Russia and China joining in."
'No willingness on Palestinian side'
The prime minister also addressed the cabinet's decision to freeze the construction in settlements for 10 months. "I think that today it is clear to anyone who checks the facts that Israel wants peace. It wants to enter a peace process," he stated."I don’t see the same willingness, the same determination, on the Palestinian side yet. I see other signs. I see all kinds of preconditions for talks from the very first moment. I see them turning to the International Criminal Court or to the UN institutions in a bid to promote the absurd thing known as the Goldstone Report."
He called on the Palestinians to help startup the peace process. "Eventually, the agreement or arrangement will be difficult, it will require courage from leaders, and we won't be satisfied, but neither will the other side. It's as clear as daylight. It requires rising above, it requires largely abandoning tactical moves. We are heading to a move. To this moment it's unclear to me whether the Palestinian Authority and its leader are ready to enter this move.
"The people of Israel and the Palestinians themselves," Netanyahu explained, "are tired of the ongoing war and would like to reach a peace agreement. I hope the Palestinians do what is best for peace, and I'm telling you, what is best for them too. Because the alternative not to do it, not to advance a diplomatic process, will only benefit Hamas and its sponsor Iran and their different allies."
